And the mystery of William Henry Cope. Please tell me Medford's brightest weren't repeated victims of con men who promised to make Jackson County a movie-making center.


    The American Theater, A. W. Eiler, manager, recently signed up to exhibit the pictures of the Associated Producers, Inc. W. H. Cope, representative of the American Producers, states that it is the aim of his corporation to purify and elevate attractions that the people can enjoy and receive benefit from.
"Playhouse Paragraphs," Up-to-the-Times Magazine, Walla Walla, March 1921, page 2785


    FILM EXCHANGE for the F. B. Warren company of New York will be established here, according to W. H. Cope, assistant northwest manager now in the city.
Spokane Press, July 19, 1921, page 7


    W. H. Cope, owner of moving picture interests in Spokane, registered at the Hotel Washington Annex yesterday while here on a short business visit.
"In Town Today," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 21, 1921, page 11


    W. H. Cope, formerly with Associated Producers in Seattle, has been appointed Portland representative for Vitagraph.
"Seattle," Moving Picture World, October 22, 1921, page 938


    W. E. Gowen has succeeded W. H. Cope as manager of the Oregon Vitagraph territory..
"Seattle," Moving Picture World, January 7, 1922, page 92


    "Action! Camera!"
    With that clarion call Portland's most pretentious attempt to establish here the nucleus of a motion picture industry got under way Tuesday afternoon and was continued with unabated enthusiasm throughout the week under the direction of Harold J. Binney, known in the hall of film fame as "Josh."
    The "camera" signal was directed at cameraman John LaMond, a veteran at the game, whose instrument was leveled in the direction of Howard Webster and Loretta Goodwin, enacting a tender little love scene as a preface for the comedy action in "Scrambled Hearts," the first of a series of 24 two-reel comedies Binney and his associates hope to make in Portland.
    The first "shot' for "Scrambled Hearts" was made on the fairway of the Waverley golf course, where a background more beautiful than any natural vista in all California was available. Binney and his assistant director, Forrest B. Cornish, who has worked in East and West Coast studios, were enthusiastic about the atmosphere, declaring that the soft rays found here are much more suitable to clear picture-making than the blazing sun of the enchanted Southland.
    "Scrambled Wives" will be produced in part out of doors and in part in the studio. The first studio shots were made on Thursday, with an elaborate cabaret scene, employing scores of "extra" players, as the "set.'' The Binney company is using the facilities of the American Lifeograph Company studio at Thirty-third and Halsey streets.
    Although Binney was slightly delayed in starting his production program, there is every appearance now that he is launched in sincere and intensive effort, and not a moment is being lost in preparing for the market the first of six complete scenarios ready for production and to which Binney's company holds complete rights and titles.
    Binney has surrounded himself with some excellent talent, including nine professional motion picture people. Among these, perhaps, Miss Goodwin and Gilbert are the best known. Cameraman LaMond has had wide experience. He came here last spring as photographer for Robert Bruce, maker of scenics, and aside from his love for the country is further attached through the fact that he married Miss Mayo Methot of the Baker Stock Company late in the summer.
    Binney, who is president of the company, is a veteran comedian and has been a director for years. He has written a great many comedies, and the most interesting feature of his work is that the product has always found a ready market. His productions here will go forth under the name of "Josh Binney Comedies," and they will be identified indelibly with Portland.
    Those who observed Binney in character action early in the week are ready to profess their faith in his comical prowess and to declare that if he "registers'' the comedy he actually puts over in making a picture his product ought to greatly enhance his fame and give Portland a big place as a producing center. His facial contortions are masterpieces, and his antics are literally "screaming." He develops a spirit of good fun in those about him, too, for, with his two-ton physical construction as a directing force, he is the personification of cheer.
    Among the comedies that will be made in Portland by the Binney company within the next few months are "Scrambled Hearts," "My Kingdom for Freedom," "Driftwood of the North," "His Better Instinct,' "The Super Man" and "The Little Brown God." On any one of these Binney could start work tomorrow if that were necessary, although he will work on only one at a time.
    Binney anticipates the possibility of being able to make pictures here the year around, for his production program will make it possible to conform to the moods of the weather, working indoors when exterior work is ruled out by the elements.
    Binney's staff includes those mentioned and Charles E. Flury, assistant cameraman; Carl Theabold, technical director; E. J. Brown, draperies and wardrobe; Joseph C. Kinney, art department; C. W. Hays, master electrician; Gus Jenkins, property man, and J. R. Rankin, carpenter.
    The present cast, aside from Webster and Miss Goodwin, who will play juvenile and ingenue leads respectively, includes Garry Shields, Joseph Singer, Edward J. Taylor, Billie Atwater, Irene Russell and Dorothy Rutledge.
    Miss Goodwin began her professional career in New York City with Gus Edwards' show, "Cherry Flip." After other interesting engagements she went to Ray Comstock's "Century Grove" revue, and she was later a member of Flo Ziegfeld's "Midnight Frolic" show and with Al Jolson in "Sinbad." In vaudeville she was with the "Sunkist Bathing Girls" and later with the Mack Sennett beauties.
    She entered filmland, after winning many prizes for swimming and diving, with Crawford Kent in "Other Men's Shoes," which was followed by "Thou Shalt Not," and "Sinners." Many releases by Fox, Metro, Vitagraph and Selznick have numbered Miss Goodwin in their casts. Much of her comedy experience was with Johnnie Hines in "Torchy" comedies. She came direct from New York to join the Binney company.
    Webster started his professional life as little Eva in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and he was graduated thereafter into more pretentious efforts, finally landing in the films in 1918 at Fort Lee, N.J. He played prominent parts in pictures with June Elvidge and others. Later he came west to Los Angeles, where he has played with Snub Pollard, Harold Lloyd, Shirley Mason, Bill Russell, Buck Jones, Tom Mix and others. He was cast to do a "heavy" with Buck Jones when Binney won his interest for the Portland company.
    Cornish, a former newspaper man, has been in pictures nearly eight years, most of the time with Binney. He had wide experience on the legitimate stage and vaudeville as an actor, but prefers directorial work.
    Joseph Singer is known to many Portland show patrons for his work as leading man for John E. Kellerd in Shakespeare repertoire, although he has employed his talents in other roles than those created by the bard. His work with Kellerd here won unstinted praise from local critics. His motion picture experience included "King Lear" with Sir Herbert Beerbohn Tree and several others.
    Garry Shields, who has been in Portland for some time, is a motion picture "stunt" man, following that line until he was seriously injured while making a picture with Bill Duncan.
    Ed J. Taylor, first associated with "Broncho Billy" Anderson in western productions, has also had musical comedy experience. He played character parts with "Fatty" Arbuckle on an oriental tour. He has produced under his own name and once formed the Atlas Motion Picture Company of Detroit, Mich. He is an expert horseman and may be called upon to prove the fact in some of Binney's comedies.
    Billie Atwater, Dorothy Rutledge and Irene Russell are Portland girls who have impressed Binney with their abilities.
    Binney himself has had wide and diverse experience in pictures as a comedian and director. He started as an actor in the old Biograph days, went to the old I.M.P. unit, later to Universal and then to Mack Sennett, with whom he made pictures with Ford Sterling, Sydney Chaplin, Arbuckle, Raymond Hitchcock, Weber & Fields, Eddie Foy, Mabel Normand and others.
    Thereafter Binney started independent production, owning and operating such companies as Pacific Picture Producing Company, Angelus Feature Film Company, Master Motion Picture Company and Harold J. Binney Productions. He is known as the biggest man in movies because of his unusual physique, weighing 345 pounds and being six feet three inches tall
    Producing affairs are in charge of a strictly Portland company of which Binney is president. Other officers are Leslie H. Lowe, secretary-treasurer and business manager; F. B. Tomlin and A. L. Inman, directors. William H. Cope, for 13 years associated with Vitagraph pictures, resigned from that company and came to Portland to take charge of distribution for Binney.
Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, March 5, 1922, page E1




    …the Cope Film Corporation, newly organized, will produce in Portland, Oregon.
    The Cope organization, whose president is William H. Cope of Portland, has engaged as scenario editor Theodore Harper, who was trained in screen technique by the Palmer Corporation. The new producing company is strongly in favor of stories written directly for the screen, and Mr. Cope is quoted as saying that he believes it is to the fresh, new but technically trained intellects of the nation at large that motion pictures must look for story material in the future.
"Royalty Plan Adopted," Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, February 3, 1924, page 63


    The Cope Film Company, 902 Northwest Bank Building, has taken an option on property at Pacific City with the intention of building motion picture studios there, according to an announcement from W. H. Cope, the president of the firm. Cope announces also that a development company of which he is likewise president plans to make Pacific City a beach resort of the highest type, with parks and excellent hotels.
    Only the best players will be used in producing pictures of a high order, Cope says. The first unit for production will he ready by fall, he announced. Cope says his project is solidly financed. He is assisted by Ulric R. Grey, engineer, who is now completing plans for the development of Pacific City. Cope believes the location ideal for picture production.
Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, May 25, 1924, page E1


    "There is a growing tendency for the motion picture industry to come north," W. H. Cope, general manager of the Cope Film Company of Portland declared at the Hotel Gowman yesterday. "The wonderful scenery and photographic conditions of the Pacific Northwest, coupled with the fact that this section has as yet been used but little, has aroused the enthusiasm of many producers."
    Cope, with a party of his company officials, motored up from Portland yesterday on a brief business trip to Seattle and Vancouver. They expect to leave for Canada today, returning here in a few days.
"Around the Lobbies," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 27, 1924, page 9


    The coming summer will see a veritable influx of motion picture companies into the Puget Sound region, W. H. Cope, president of the Cope Film Corporation of Portland, and Northwest representative of the motion picture directors' association, declared at the Hotel Gowman yesterday. "Seven companies have already signified their intention to shoot exteriors in and around Seattle, and I know of at least five more companies that are planning on coming north for the summer." The Cope Film Corporation recently began work on a new laboratory and studio at Oswego Lake, eight miles out of Portland.
"Around the Lobbies," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 3, 1925, page 19


    The Cope Film Corporation, a Portland organization, has started construction of a large reinforced concrete motion picture studio on a 50-acre tract that lies between Oswego-Stafford road and Lake Oswego.
    The property on which the studio will stand was purchased from J. M. Pearcy and the Oregon Iron & Steel Co. by the Cope Corporation about 10 days ago through the Ralph C. Harris Company of this city, for a consideration said to be about $30,000.
    The buildings, in addition to the studio, will consist of 60 bungalows. The studio building, unequipped, and the bungalows will, it is estimated, cost considerably more than $100,000. The studio alone, actual work on which started last week, will cost $85,000.
    The studio building will be about 200 feet long and 60 feet wide, with a stage 160 by 60 feet. The administration offices and dressing rooms at one end and the technical department at the other will be on two floors.
    Financing of the building has been completed by Thomas E. Hulme of the Thomas E. Hulme Company, plumbing engineers; Edward J. Barrett, contractor, and William Laing, architect. These men, who are interested in the Cope corporation, have drawn the plans and will themselves construct the various buildings. The details of the financing arrangement have not been made public, but that the Cope corporation has ample funds to carry out the building project is vouched for by both Mr. Hulme, who is vice president of the corporation, and W. H. Cope, the president.
    Mr. Cope, head of the company, is an old film man. He left the mercantile business something over 20 years ago at the instance of Thomas H. Ince, with whom he had been acquainted many years, to take charge of the selling end of Warner Brothers, an exchange organized by several producers, among whom were Ince and Sennett. The organization did not last long and Cope went to Biograph, selling both in the East and later on the Coast. After leaving Biograph he represented several different producers in the selling field, finally entering the employment of Vitagraph, for whom he sold pictures in different parts of the country, his last connection with the company being with the Vitagraph Seattle office.
    "We have arranged with Mr. Cope," says Mr. Hulme, "to immediately build the Oswego studio. Work on it will continue until the structures are all completed. All the money necessary to complete the buildings is provided. We have implicit faith, both in Mr. Cope and in his plan. He is a practical motion picture man, and he has letters in his possession from prominent motion picture men in California telling him of Portland's need of such a studio as he plans to have constructed.
    "Portland is greatly in need of a motion picture studio large enough and equipped like the studios of California are. If this city has such a studio, I know from conversation and letters from big picture producers that they would come up here and avail themselves of Oregon scenery. Our studio will be as complete a one as there is in existence. Everything in it will be modern in the last degree. We shall have a fine test laboratory, fully equipped technical rooms, and plenty of scenery property for ordinary purposes and facilities for producing on the ground special sets for interiors. We have a large group of springs on our premises, which I do not hesitate to say form the most ideal location for a studio in America, sufficient to furnish us with all kinds of water effects--fountains and the like--at almost a moment's notice, while with our 1500-foot front on Lake Oswego we can offer facilities for huge outdoor water effects of almost any kind. Tom Moore and Mary Alden told me, when they were up here a few months ago, that they had never seen anything equal to our premises in all their experience.
    "We expect to produce our own pictures as well as to provide studio facilities, but for the time being we are most interested in the construction of our plant and bungalows in which to house visiting actors. It is very hard to get good actors away from Hollywood. They do not like to travel and they do not like hotel life, and strange to say, entirely different from stage folk, they do not like, as a rule, to be acclaimed in public. The bungalows will provide them with the privacy of home life and also with home comforts."
Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, August 23, 1925, page E1


    The most important event in Oswego for a long time was the breaking of ground Thursday for the $100,000 motion picture studio to be erected by the Cope Film Corporation, which has secured the Pearcy property in South Oswego. Several Oswego people and a large number of prominent Portland men were present at the ceremony, which was filmed by the Oregon Journal Webfoot Weekly. The company expects to have the motion picture studio ready for use about the first of the year. Following the erection of this building it will proceed with the erection of 60 bungalows and a large lodge on the shore of Oswego lake. The total outlay, it is stated by W. H Cope, will be in the neighborhood of half a million dollars. Several large producing companies from California are expected to use the studio directly following its completion.
Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, August 30, 1925, page D5


    Eugene will be headquarters for the Cope Film Corporation and an initial outlay of $100,000 for construction of a film producing plant here will be made, is the announcement of W. H. Cope, head of the organization, who has been here for the past month conferring with chamber of commerce officials and others in regard to the project.
    A plot of land consisting of 30 acres at the "Braes" southwest of the city has been donated to the corporation by W. E. Kyler of Corvallis and Frank I. Kinney, Eugene realtor. This plot will be developed immediately, and it is expected that within the next two weeks active construction work will be started on what will eventually be a $500,000 project here, Mr. Cope states.
    Mr. Cope, who has the fullest support of the Eugene chamber of commerce, declares that Eugene will be the center of the film industry for the Pacific Northwest and that conditions and location here have been found to meet all the demands of the organization.
    "The first unit will consist of an indoor stage building entirely of concrete and hollow tile 88 by 200 feet. Other buildings to be erected at the start will be an administration building, blacksmith, electrical, carpenter shops, 14 bungalows for employees and administrators, a complete film laboratory, all of modern construction and embodying the latest design in buildings of this kind," Mr. Cope said.
    "Within 50 miles of Eugene we can find all the varied scenery necessary for the taking of any picture. Climatic conditions here will not hinder the work of the organization, and we expect that other companies from time to time will come here to take pictures," Mr. Cope said.
    The Cope company has been negotiating with the chamber of commerce here for some time, and the local organization has given full approval of the contemplated plans, it is announced. Further projects of the film company include the laying out of a beautiful park as a part of their plant here. This park is planned to be one of the show places of the city, Mr. Cope states.
    Offices and headquarters for the company are to be established in the Miner building and a suite of rooms will soon be ready, it is announced by Mr. Cope.
Eugene Guard, Portland, November 28, 1925, page 1


    Moving pictures will soon be taken by northern film companies, according to word received recently. The Cope Film Corporation is making an initial outlay of $100,000 for the construction of a film producing plant at Eugene. W. H. Cope, head of the organization, has been conferring with the Eugene chamber of commerce for the past few months in regard to the proposed plan.
    W. E. Kyler of Corvallis has donated a plot of land containing approximately 3 acres for the site of this plant. This pilot will be developed immediately, and it is expected that within the next two weeks active construction work will be started on what will eventually be a $500,000 project in the neighboring city.
    In the opinion of Mr. Cope, this section of the state will be the center for the film industry of the Pacific Northwest, and that conditions and location have been found to meet all the demands of the organization.
    "The first unit will consist of an indoor stage building entirely of concrete and hollow tile 88 by 200 feet. Other buildings to be erected at the start will be an administration building, blacksmith, electrical carpenter shops, 14 bungalows for employees and administrators, a complete film laboratory, all of modern construction and embodying the largest design in buildings of.this kind," Mr. Cope said.
Corvallis Gazette-Times, December 1, 1925, page 6

    After making a field sketch of the "Braes" for notation work, William Laing, architect of the Cope Film Corporation, left yesterday for Portland, where he expects to wind up his business so he can return to Eugene.
    Mr. Laing expects to be in this city during the entire construction period of the moving picture studio and colony. He will be back in a few days.
    Mr. Laing, Eugene Kissel, the supervising engineer and "property man" of the corporation, and J. A. Bucknall, comptroller of the company, were guests of the chamber of commerce at a noonday luncheon yesterday. The men were introduced to the members of the chamber.
    Mr. Bucknall is in charge of the office in the W. E. Miner building and reports that already there are hundreds of applications for work in the movies.
Morning Register, Eugene, December 4, 1925, page 5


    Plans for the administration building and indoor stage of the Cope Film Corporation to be established here west of the city in the "Braes" district have been completed and a large architect's drawing of the main structure has been placed on display in the window of the Dr. Royal Gick store on Willamette Street.
    The building, of attractive design, will be constructed of concrete with a dimension of 88 by 200 feet.
Eugene Guard, December 10, 1925, page 3




    Among the guests at Hotel Maywood the last few days were the following: W. H. Cope and G. W. Flint, Hollywood.…
"Monday's News," Corning Advance, Corning, California, January 28, 1927, page 1


    Announcement was made yesterday of the formation of the Rogue River Studios, Inc. and the further announcement that within the next ten days work would start on the erection of the first unit of buildings, to cost $58,000. The complete building program will cost $300,000. A site has not been definitely selected for the project, but three or four are under consideration. It is expected that the studios will be in operation early in September.
    According to W. H. Cope of Hollywood, Cal., the plant will be a base of operations for film companies utilizing Oregon scenery from Roseburg to Ashland, having within easy accessibility desert wastes, primeval forests, and scenic wonders essential to the production of western pictures.
    The officers of the company are:
    President, C. E. Gates of Medford, state highway commissioner, former mayor of Medford, and widely known business man.
    Vice-President, E. W. Miller of Grants Pass, state senator from Josephine County.
    Secretary, Harry Hutton of Eugene, Oregon, owner of the Eugene Hotel.
    Treasurer, George W. Flint of Salem, Oregon, sales manager Fidelity Securities.
    General Manager, W. H. Cope of Hollywood, Cal.
    Chief Counsel, W. E. Crews of Medford, former state corporation commissioner.
    Active secretary and treasurer, George A. Codding of Medford.
    Director of sales, C. E. Boyce of Portland, wholesale auto representative.
    The executive offices of the company will be in the Liberty Building, this city.
    W. H. Cope, general manager, left last night for Hollywood, Cal., to attend to the final details of starting construction work.
    Plans for the building have been drawn and negotiations for the formation of the company have been under way since the first of the year.
    According to General Manager Cope, who has had wide experience in the production field, a regular staff of 300 technicians, artisans, painters, and skilled workmen, along with an editorial staff, will be maintained, augmented from time to time.
    "Last year three or four movie companies came to Southern Oregon and took pictures, but were left with no place to hang their hats," said Mr. Cope. "No adequate facilities were near at hand and they were handicapped. The Rogue River Studios will be handy. New scenery and atmosphere is sought in pictures. The Rogue River Valley has light, atmosphere, and an ideal background for Westerns and other productions. The magnitude of the project is not readily grasped until one understands what is under way."
    Mr. Cope said that the progress made to date in the establishing of the industry was due largely to cooperation and assistance of the local Chamber of Commerce, who are now in charge of many of the details.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 29, 1927, page 1


    Announcement of the organization of the Rogue River Studios, Inc. of Medford is announced. W. H. Cope, who launched a similar enterprise in Eugene more than a year ago, the project later being abandoned, is general manager and organizer of the new firm. Harry Hutton, one of the managers of the Eugene Hotel, is secretary. C. E. Boyce, formerly Eugene manager for the Pettyjohn Motor Company, is sales director.
Eugene Guard, May 30, 1927, page 3


    Work will start early next week on the construction of buildings for the Rogue River Studios, Inc., according to Judge W. E. Crews, chief counsel for the company. The contractor and force of men are expected to arrive Monday. The site, bought under the direction of the Chamber of Commerce, has been selected, but will not be publicly announced until the final papers are signed. The tract consists of 80 acres, within easy reach of the city.
    Regarding the letting of the contract, the Portland Daily Journal of Commerce says:
    "Plans have been drawn by William Laing, architect in the Henry building, for a $300,000 motion picture studio at Medford, and the contract for construction of the first unit of the project has been let to C. E. Swallow, Portland contractor, who will start work Monday laying out stakes for the excavation work.
    "The first unit, which will be mostly given over to stage facilities, will cover a ground area of 278 by 82 feet, and will be 32 feet in height. The major portion will be one-story, while the rear quarters of the building, in which the executive offices, directors' offices and editorial and dressing rooms will be located, will be three stories. This portion will be 336 by 82 feet.
    "The structure will be located on a site adjoining the city limits of Medford, which was donated by the city. The entire tract consists of 80 acres. The first unit will cost $65,000 and will be of stucco finish.
    "When the new units of the project are built they will be used as offices, editorial rooms, developing and projection rooms, for both local and visiting companies. The newer additions will be of two stories and finished in the very latest manner to be found in any of the Hollywood studios, as will the first unit.
    "The corporation is at present located in the Liberty Building, Medford, pending completion of the first unit, which will be rushed so that filming of pictures may begin by the first of September, according to Mr. Laing.
    "The plans have been under consideration for some time, and drafting of sketches and specifications was started several months ago, but definite announcement was withheld until all business details were arranged and the project was ready to go ahead."
    General Manager Cope, who left a week ago for Hollywood, Cal., to confer on details of the studios, is expected to return to the city tomorrow.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 4, 1927, page 1


    MEDFORD, Or., June 6.--(Special.)--The plant of the Rogue River Studios, Inc., will be located a mile and a half northeast of Medford on the 160-acre Gore tract on the Crater Lake Highway. Construction will start this week. William Laing, architect, and C. E. Swallow, contractor, of Portland, are in Medford ready to begin work on the first unit, to cost $50,000.
    The Rogue River studios, Inc., will not shoot pictures to sell direct to movie theaters, but will furnish a studio where big companies may obtain scenic Southern Oregon views for use in pictures.
Oregonian, Portland, June 7, 1927, page 13


    Bright and early Monday morning work will start on the first $53,000 unit of the Medford movie studio, according to Geo. W. Flint, treasurer and sales manager of the Rogue Studios, Inc., who spent Saturday in the city perfecting details.
    C. E. Swallow of Portland, to whom the contract has been let, will arrive today with his family and expects to make his permanent home here.
    The land on the Gore tract where the studios will be built has been surveyed and staked out, and excavation work will be rushed through rapidly.
    This first unit will be four stories in height, 100 by 300 feet, and will contain laboratory, cutting rooms and inside shooting rooms sufficient for four companies at one time, according to Mr. Flint.
    As has been previously pointed out by members of the company, the plant is to be leased to large movie concerns, from California, who want Oregon scenery and sunshine on a plus-cost basis. Under present arrangements movie concerns taking pictures in this state have been forced to hold their expensive casts, while the films were being sent to Hollywood, developed, returned and arrangements made for changes, retakes, etc.
    This has been a very expensive method of operation. Mr. Flint declares there are already three large movie concerns who want to lease the Medford studio as soon as it is completed, although he is not at liberty to name them. He also says his company plans to make pictures here as well as lease facilities to others.
    Wm. Laing, the architect, will arrive in Medford Monday from Portland to supervise the initial work. Eventually the company plans to make an investment here of between three and four thousand dollars according to its officials.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 12, 1927, page 1


    With approximately 30 men employed at the present time, construction of the first unit of the Rogue River Studios on the Crater Lake Highway, a short distance north of Medford, is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed before the scheduled time in September. While thus far laborers only have been employed, the employment of carpenters will commence next week, according to present plans.
    With the possible exception of foremen and technicians, all laborers are to be hired locally, giving local people thus far practically all benefits of the advent of the concern into Southern Oregon. A number of out-of-town residents, who are officials in the company, also plan to make their home in Medford.
    In an interview with E. R. Boyce of Hollywood, who with his brother, C. E. Boyce, are directors of sales for the company, it was brought out that Southern California moving picture companies have been looking to Oregon for two or more years as the solution to the problem of locating new and natural scenic settings.
    "It is the object of the Rogue River Studios," said Mr. Boyce, "to capitalize on the beautiful scenery of this section, and thus the first unit of the company is under construction. With the cooperation of the city of Medford and Southern Oregon, more units will follow immediately.
    "The scenery of Southern Oregon," he continued, "cannot be surpassed in the United States and is something that a director can use without destroying inasmuch that he cannot take it with him. With the pictures shown the world over, no other means can bring as much publicity to this section. The officials of the Rogue River Studios are sincere in their convictions that Medford, being the metropolis of Southern Oregon, is the logical city in which to launch the building program of the company, making Medford the center of the movie industry for the Northwest just as Hollywood is the center of the industry far California.
    "Tests of the sunlight, which by technicians is declared to be the brightest in the world and best suited to the taking of moving pictures, is one of the reasons," continued Mr. Boyce, "why the company chose to establish itself here. A thorough investigation of the local situation also showed that water is well suited to the needs of the industry due to its natural softness, which is in direct contrast to the water of Hollywood, where much expense is incurred in preparing the water for film developing use.
    "Realizing these conditions to be very important, a group of well-known Oregon business men have organized the Rogue River Studios, Inc., and propose to capitalize on the scenic beauties of this section, putting Southern Oregon on the screen throughout all parts of the civilized world in a manner which never before has been done.
    "This is a feature," concluded Mr. Boyce, "that Southern Oregonians can look upon with a feeling of pride, as it will bring scores of people and wealth to this section in the course of a comparatively short time."
Medford Mail Tribune, June 19, 1927, page 3


    Work on the first unit of the Rogue River Studios, located one mile from Medford on the Crater Lake Highway, is progressing very rapidly and with favorable weather conditions will be ready for occupancy by September 15.
    The first studio in Hollywood was started in 1911, in an old tavern and barn leased by David and William Horsley, the founders of the "motion picture" industry in Hollywood, with a total capital to start of $2500.
    Today, just 16 years after the first studio was started, Hollywood has an area of 25 square miles and a population of  130,000; 33 banks with an annual clearing (1925) of $321,473,000; two public parks with a total of 3753 acres; twelve moving picture theaters, and others under consideration; 19 motion picture studios and 250 producing companies.
    It is the intention and desire of the Rogue River Studios, Inc., to make this a nucleus of the motion picture industry of the Northwest; to build and equip one of the most up-to-date studios in the industry, and to produce quality pictures of a very high character. This will be a very important factor in making the world acquainted with the extreme beauties of "Southern Oregon."
    With the studios completed and the scenic beauties of Southern Oregon to incorporate into the pictures there is no reason why the Rogue River Studios, Inc. should not equal any other company in the industry, it is claimed. As progress is made no doubt other companies will see the wonderful possibilities of Southern Oregon as a motion picture center and may also locate here, which in due course of time would develop Southern Oregon as Hollywood has developed Southern California.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 26, 1927, page 3


    MEDFORD, Or., July 9.--(Special.)--Indicative of the growth of interest in Medford as a motion picture center was the congregation of representatives of three separate film organizations at the chamber of commerce headquarters today.
    These included Earl Emlay, director of the E.R.L. productions, who with a small company has been here for several weeks from Southern California taking films hereabouts with Medford as headquarters, and H. Hutton of Eugene, vice-president and director of the Rogue River Studios, which is now building its first unit in Medford, and a number of his associates.
    The third group consisted of Elizabeth Pickett, director, and J. A. Valentine, cameraman of the Fox Film Varieties, who had just arrived in Medford. The Fox party expects to remain in the Medford vicinity for several days, taking scenes of Prospect, Sand Creek and Anna Creek and Applegate Valley as well as Crater Lake.
Sunday Oregonian, Portland, July 10, 1927, page 2


    Harry Hutton, vice president of the Rogue River Studios, is in Medford from his home in Eugene. He will remain in this city about two weeks on company business.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 19, 1927, page 2


    W. W. Inches and G. W. Flint of the Rogue River Studios were visitors in this city Tuesday.
"Rush Work on Jacksonville Sanitarium" [Jacksonville news], Medford Mail Tribune, July 22, 1927, page 10


    E. J. Taylor, for years an old Essanay film company man, arrived in Medford this morning on a brief trip from Hollywood to consult with directors of the Rogue River Studios.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 23, 1927, page 2


    Harry Hutton, secretary of the Rogue River Studios, spent the weekend at Prospect.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 25, 1927, page 2


    "The recent house-cleaning that has taken place in Hollywood as a result of the strike is the best thing that has happened to the industry," said W. H. Cope, production manager of the Rogue River Studios, who arrived in Medford yesterday afternoon. "Everyone down there knows where he stands now, and there never has been a more stable feeling. The industry is branching out, broadening, and Hollywood is ready to talk business."
    Cope, who has been in the south for the past three months working on the plans for the local studio, has conferred with other producers and watched the new developments in the technical end of the industry in the line of new studios being erected outside of Hollywood.
    "There have been many new ideas in regard to wiring, lighting and general construction developed in the past few months. So I wired the boys here to hold back the plans until we could incorporate the newer plans in our scheme of construction and avoid the mistakes I have seen them make down there," said the producer,
    That the idea of Southern Oregon has been sold to many of the California companies and leading stars now doing freelance work is evidenced by the number of inquiries the local producer has received from his former associates about the surrounding locations.
    "The one thing that has held many of them back is the fact that this is so far away from Hollywood and there is no place to take care of their development work up here. But it will be only a matter of a short time now until they can be guaranteed that assurance. The heads of every department have been arranged for, and highly specialized men in every phase of the work have been secured.
    "Situated as we are, we can hope to make an agreeable income from rental of our studios to visiting companies in addition to that which we clear on our own productions."
Medford Mail Tribune, July 27, 1927, page 3


    Jack Monroe, well-known electrical engineer of Hollywood, spent yesterday in the city as the guest of W. H. Cope, production manager of the Rogue River Studios. Monroe will superintend the electric installations for the new studio when the work reaches that stage. Accompanied by Mrs. Monroe, the expert left this morning for Crater Lake, where they will spend the weekend before continuing their journey to Seattle.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 30, 1927, page 2


    Medford, July 30.--Fred L. Colvig and Dan Herring, both deputy revenue collectors for six years, with headquarters here, have resigned. Colvig will assume management of the Oriental group of gold mines, west of Jacksonville, while Herring takes a position with the Rogue River Studios.
Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, July 31, 1927, page 3


    R. W. Ellithorpe, a representative of the Rogue River Studios, arrived in Medford last night from a trip to California.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, August 13, 1927, page 2


    When attorneys change headquarters they are bound to take a new lease on life, and so attorneys E. E. Kelly, Edward Kelly Jr., Frank DeSouza, W. E. Crews and George Codding were all smiles yesterday afternoon as a result of swapping offices in the Liberty building.
    Crews and Codding moved into the west side suite of offices at the end of the hall on the second floor, adding to their headquarters the small room formerly occupied by the Rogue River Studio executives. Kelly and DeSouza took the east suite adding room heretofore unoccupied, and moving the partition of their main office down the hall to enclose the door of the new room.
    Both suites are undergoing painting and varnishing, and the attorneys are mutually pleased over the change.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 11, 1927, page 4


    That Medford is now prepared to accept the community chest method of charity distribution was the opinion expressed by a number of local business men at the chamber of commerce-Kiwanis luncheon at which 140 were present this noon at Hotel Medford. The subject was introduced for discussion by H. C. Frohbach, who gave a history of the community chest idea, and the different objections that were raised by Medford citizens in the past.
    Among those who spoke enthusiastically for adopting the community chest here were Chairman J. D. Russell, C. E. Gates. John Mann and Mayor Alenderfer. A motion was passed to appoint a committee composed of members from the chamber of commerce and the various service clubs to investigate the methods used by other cities in organizing their community chest drives.
    A report on the joint committee, composed of representatives of the chamber of commerce, the traffic association and the Fruit Growers League, was given by Paul Scherer, who described the meeting of the Fruit Growers League held at Hotel Medford last Saturday, as the most important in the light of accomplishment of any that had been held this year, with the exception of the meeting between the Medford and McLoughlin high school teams. His comparison brought down a shower of enthusiastic applause from the large assemblage.
    The reorganization of the Rogue River Studios, which is now said to be a strictly Southern Oregon affair with local capital behind it, was explained by C. E. Gates, who urged the cooperation of the chamber of commerce and service clubs. He stated that if $30,000 was raised here locally, that one of the leading business men and tax payers of the city, who had
recently visited the officials of the movie industry in Southern California, could guarantee that Will Hays and other officials of the industry would visit Medford and support the enterprise.
    On motion, Chairman Russell was instructed to appoint a committee from the chamber of commerce and service clubs to work with the local civic committee and solicit subscriptions for the $30,000. The committees will meet at the chamber of commerce tomorrow evening.
    Prink Callison and his fighting eleven were the guests of the chamber of commerce and were given an enthusiastic ovation by the crowd. Asked regarding the future, "Prink" said he couldn't state anything definite concerning another game, but was of the opinion that there wouldn't be one. He thanked the chamber of commerce, Kiwanis Club and the business men of Medford for the support they had so far given the team.
    Among the guests present at the meeting were: E. W. Brown, manager of the new branch Packer-Scott Paper Company opening up in Medford December 15. He gave a short talk thanking the members for their welcome of the new industry in Medford. E. C. Corn, chairman of the Better Homes Exposition committee, was next introduced and predicted that the exposition was to draw the biggest crowd ever drawn for any one affair in Medford. Ernest Scott, president of the Lions' Club, read a letter from James B. Olson, telling of the five members of the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Company team, who would speak before the Lions Club Wednesday noon at Hotel Holland. Scott invited the business men of Medford to attend the open meeting.
    Miss Jane Snedicor, president of the Floral Society, told of the tree planting program to be held this afternoon in front of the Boy Scout headquarters in memory of Earl Gaddis, Jr.. and Walter Thomas, well-loved Boy Scouts who passed. away this year.
    Other guests were W. E. Smith, editor of the Yreka Journal, Superintendent E. H. Hedrick, Principal Ralph Conkle, and Don F. Wilson of Utica, N.Y.
    C. E. Gates, member of the highway commission, announced that at the last meeting of the commission it was definitely decided to complete the hard surface road, of the same nature as the mile adjoining the city limits to the north, to the Crater Lake park boundary prior to the opening of the Crater Lake season next year.
    The Kiwanis nominating committee recommended the following names for officers for 1927, to be voted upon at the next meeting in January.
    For president, R. B. Hammond and C. S. Butterfield; vice president, Carl Brommer and J. F. Watson; district trustee, J. W. Jacobs and H. O. Frobach; treasurer, C. C. Lemmon; trustees, F. C. Dillard, J. G. Love, H. C. Fredette, Weir McDonald, W. J. Warner, Glen Fabrick and John Mann.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 5, 1927, page 1


    C. B. Pierson, highway contractor, is registered at the Imperial from Medford. There is some talk at Medford of plans to reorganize the Rogue River Studios. It is said that if $30,000 can be raised locally, moving picture magnates will become interested and make a second Hollywood.
"More or Less Personal," Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, December 7, 1927, page 17



    At a meeting of stockholders held at the Rose Hotel last night a new concern known as Copeonia, Inc., which is formed for the purpose of introducing the motion picture industry into Southern Oregon, was organized. Incorporation papers have been granted and a charter received, and at last night's meeting the officers of the concern were elected. The directors are J. M. Weatherford, Milton Keyser, L. W. Metzger, W. H. Cope and H. E. Rossin. The directors in turn have elected W. H. Cope president and general manager; J. M. Weatherford, vice-president; H. E. Rossin, secretary; Milton Keyser, treasurer; and L. W. Metzger, superintendent of construction.
    The organization is the outgrowth of work done by Mr. W. H. Cope, who has been connected with the motion picture industry for a number of years, and who has recently been devoting his activities to a plan to develop the industry in Southern Oregon.
    According to his statement the large producing companies of California are looking for new locations. The available California locations have been "shot" until their usefulness is now practically gone, and the companies are endeavoring to find places where they have a wider variety of scenery.
    "Southern Oregon is particularly suitable for this purpose," Mr. Cope says, "and it is our aim to build a modern studio and laboratory to be used as headquarters by the big producing companies. We will also produce pictures ourselves.
    "Within a radius of 100 miles from Roseburg it is possible to secure any desired type of scenery--snow fields, beach, lakes, mountains, rivers, plains, anything that may be wanted for a motion picture. Southern Oregon is also especially suitable for this purpose because of the light conditions, absence of fog, bright sunshiny weather, soft water for laboratory use and the low expense in reaching locations.
    "It is not the plan to confine the taking of pictures to Roseburg alone, but the companies will make their headquarters here and will go out to their locations.
    "We plan to provide an indoor stage, 90 by 300 feet, with a height of 34 feet, equipped with soundproof rooms, and the very latest electrical and other equipment. We will also build a laboratory, furnished along up-to-date lines with the most modern equipment. This will be the first unit, which we hope to build during the next few months. Preliminary work will be started within two weeks, according to present plans. The first unit will represent an outlay of about $50,000.
    "To this unit we expect to add other buildings from year to year, the complete plan calling for an expenditure of approximately $250,000. There will be an administration building, offices for the technicians, dressing, editorial, art, wardrobe and property rooms, occupying an area 300 by 500 feet. The buildings will be of heavy mill construction with stucco finish and will all be erected after the style of the Italian Renaissance.
    "We have the assurance of practically all of the leading producers of Hollywood that just as soon as suitable equipment is available in this part of Oregon that they will immediately start making motion pictures in this section. It is our hope to have the first unit ready for use by April of next year, so that the production of pictures can be started at that time.
    "The practicability of making pictures here has already been proven. In making 'The General,' at Cottage Grove, the possibilities were shown, but the company was badly handicapped by the lack of necessary laboratory apparatus and equipment for indoor shots, so that much additional expense was encountered. The presence of a fully equipped studio and laboratory will enable these companies to secure scenes in new territory where, as one producer has said, 'we can shoot pictures every day for years and not duplicate a scene,' and they can do so with no more cost than if they were on location near Hollywood."
    Mr. Cope states that the company has purchased the J. M. Weatherford tract of 80 acres, 3 miles north of Roseburg, where the studios will be erected. Control has also been secured of 1400 adjoining acres. The property is located with a frontage of 1,400 feet on the Pacific Highway and has power lines and water mains crossing it, providing an ideal site. It is only a few feet from the S.P. railroad so that no better location could be secured.
    Mr. Cope also states that arrangements have been made for technicians from Hollywood to take charge of the plant as soon as it is ready for operation.
    When fully completed, he says, the plant will employ about 250 people, and will distribute about $150,000 monthly.
Roseburg News-Review, September 12, 1928, page 1


    James Slevin, widely known independent moving  picture producer of the most artistic class, international business man, general showman, soloist, playwright, former actor, globetrotter who has circled the world nine times, linguist and general go-getter, who arrived in Medford yesterday for a probable stay of six weeks, or maybe longer, is one of the most entertaining, cosmopolitan, and interesting visitors that has ever visited Medford.
    His visit here may be fraught with great possibilities for the future development of Medford, he having been brought to the city by a group of well-known local business men, and during his stay he will work out certain plans which may result in giving Medford national and perhaps worldwide publicity.
    Fotovox, a method of synchronization with which Mr. Slevin has been experimenting in Los Angeles, will be used by him in his proposed trip to Rome, where he expects to
secure pictures of the Pope to be eventually produced in a local studio. The versatile visitor, in telling a Mail Tribune reporter of the project, said that it was his intention if his present plans go forward to make the entire venture a Southern Oregon enterprise.
    "Movietone, owned and operated by the William Fox motion picture studios of New York and Hollywood, has succeeded in presenting Al Smith, Herbert Hoover, King Alfonso and Edward, Prince of Wales. The Fox process of talking picture is accomplished by the action of light alone," Mr. Slevin explained, in describing the various types of talking movies.
    "While the moving picture is being produced and photographed in the ordinary way, a special combination camera records the voice of the actor by means of a tiny ray of light, as thin as a razor blade, which traces a series of small shadows on the margin of the film," he said.
    "If you take a section of the developed and completed film in your hand you will see a series of pictures about the size of postage stamps. On the margins are long and short marks, actually the record of voices. They are light or heavy in proportion to the power and quality of the voices.
    "Warner Bros., one of the most progressive and successful motion picture organizations, has developed another system similar to the Movietone but called Vitaphone. Its specialty is comedy and drama.
    "Another method which is nearing completion is called Filmotone and is being perfected by Thomas Bunty, prominent real estate operator and former well-known athlete of Los Angeles," Mr. Slevin continued. He did not say much about the Fotovox except that "on account of its simplicity and almost foolproof method of photographing and projecting I think that Fotovox will be even superior to systems now in use."
    Mr. Slevin has been interested in the stage in one way or another since he was nine years of age and played the part of Little Lord Fauntleroy. He studied art and architecture in France and Italy. In 1906 he returned to the stage, his last role being "The Virginian," well-known cowboy character.
    Over six feet tall and weighing no such much less than 200 pounds, he has decided that it is time to "quit being clever and cute on the stage." Mrs. Slevin and their two young children are at their home in Paris.
    "My nine-year-old son says, 'Daddy has been every place twice, but he always comes back to see us,'" the visitor remarked in answer to where he had been and when.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 18, 1928, page 6


    With all the variations of talking pictures, from Warner Brothers, Vitaphone, the synchronized film and phonograph record method, to the William Fox corporation, Movietone process now doing stunts on the market, the Southern Oregon Fotovox Inc., a corporation composed of a list of prominent local men, has been formed, and has opened up business quarters at Hotel Medford under the direction of James Slevin, well-known producer and scenario writer.
    Slevin, who is said to have originated the name Fotovox, which is an improved and refined process varying in certain respects from the former developments, will leave here on December 20 for Rome, where he is under contract to take a series of motion pictures of the Vatican, the Royal
Academy of St. Cecile and other famous and historical institutions.
    These pictures will be marketed through one of the large Hollywood corporations, and the proceeds turned into the coffers of the local corporation, according to Slevin.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 18, 1928, page 3


    Through the financial efforts and ambition of about a dozen prominent Medford business and professional men, allied in a three-years' contract with James Slevin, the internationally known movie producer, play and scenario writer, artist, author, and world traveler, under the name of Southern Oregon Fotovox, Inc., incorporated at Salem last week, Medford and Southern Oregon before many months may be on the moving picture map, not only of this country but of the world.
    Not only that but the incompleted Rogue River Studio movie venture here, which practically became defunct many months ago, may eventually be resurrected and completed by the company, to become the home studio of super-features to be made by the company, one every six months. At this home studio only the acts centering about the leading actors would be made, and the larger scenes, such as mob scenes, would be filmed at Hollywood, or some other large moving picture producing center.
    There has been much public curiosity and speculation ever since Mr. Slevin arrived here from Hollywood seven weeks ago at the solicitation of some local business men interested in the venture, as to just what his and their plans were, and this curiosity has greatly increased during his stay.
    Today the Mail Tribune is able to give some details about the organization and its plans, as follows:
    The Southern Oregon Fotovox, Inc., is a State of Oregon corporation, incorporated for the purpose of executing certain outstanding contracts of an unique, unusual, extraordinary and profitable nature.
    Leading the list of local public-spirited men who have generously subscribed to this enterprise is C. E. Gates, state highway commissioner.
    The latest, newest and most successful method of cinematograph will be used--the talking picture, under the trademark 'Fotovox,' which is owned and registered at the U.S. Patent Office, Washington, D.C. by James Slevin.
    Starting as from today, the corporation is in sound financial condition, discounts all its bills, has no debts or encumbrances of any sort, but it has highly valuable assets listed in the manner following:
    The corporation directors have been fortunate in securing, under a three-years' contract, the exclusive services of what they assert is one of the most talented, experienced and accomplished men of the entire motion picture industry, James Slevin, artist, author, linguist, play and scenario writer; producer of feature motion pictures, and worldwide traveler; moreover, Slevin and his business associates have subscribed the major portion of the working capital of the corporation.
    "Through Slevin the corporation has certain valuable agreements and exchange of correspondence, with the Royal Academy of St. Cecile, Rome, Italy, and with Maestro the Right Reverend Monsignor Antonio Rella, of the Sistine Chapel Choir of the Vatican, Rome, Italy, and with Maestro the Right Reverend Don Raffaele Casimiro Masimiri of the Papal Academy of Sacred and Liturgical Music, and with the Right Reverend S. Tampieri, Undersecretary of Extraordinary Affairs of His Eminence, the Most Reverend Cardinal [Del Val, Papal] Secretary of State, to His Holiness, at the Vatican, Rome, Italy, which agreements and correspondence cover the matter of taking a series of motion pictures of the several institutions above referred to, including their separate and individual personnel."
    Going forward with the next phase of this matter, Slevin leaves for Hollywood next Wednesday, to get together his equipment and assistants and prepare to proceed to Rome, where he will arrive well in advance of Easter Week when the ceremonial at the Vatican is the most impressive of the entire year, and prepare to carry out the proposed ambitious program.
    This series of motion pictures will be completed and ready for exhibition by July 1st, 1929.
    This covers only the first six months' program.
    For the term of Slevin's contract there has been planned equally attractive super-features to be produced every six months.
    The first Tournee of the Sistine Choristers presented by Slevin shows in a published report gross receipts of $500,000 in fifty days.
    The first motion picture of the Pope and Vatican, presented by Slevin years ago, shows a profit of well over $1,000,000.00. In San Francisco, during the Exposition, the Vatican pictures were considered the greatest event of the Exposition year. The Municipal Auditorium took in $100,000.00 in two shows.
    The world-famous Royal Academy of Musicians has never been exploited.
    All this series will be presented exclusively in Fotovox Talking Pictures, breaking new ground in history.
    The background is unequaled and unsurpassed. Michaelangelo in the stage carpenter, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci the scenic artists, Bernini, Canova, and Julio Romano the property men. The result is St. Peter's and the Vatican, the greatest monuments of art and architecture the world has ever known.
    This is distinctly not a religious matter. It is a super-feature, surpassing in universal interest anything ever presented anywhere, any time, at any price, it is claimed.
    Tens of millions of people from all parts of the world, from all walks of life, all creeds and denominations, make the long expensive trip to Rome to see what the Southern Oregon Fotovox Company, by wizardry of modern science, will present in the home towns.
    "The cost of the whole thing is only the manufacturing cost, as the permits and privileges have already been granted and are held by us without payment or obligation, except the entirely just and reasonable requirement of handling the matter with due reverence and respect," said Mr. Slevin yesterday.
    This is a Southern Oregon enterprise. Its offices and studios will be located in Medford, and it will be so announced whenever and wherever its motion pictures are shown throughout the entire world.
    It is estimated that over 27 arts and crafts are used in making a motion picture. Without getting into intricate details, it is affirmed that the operation of a local motion picture studio will affect favorably every art craft, business and industry not only of Medford and Southern Oregon, but of the entire state.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 16, 1928, page 8


    Laing vs. Rogue River Studios, March 22; George W. Gearhart, Geo. W. Codding.
"Court Calendar," Medford Mail Tribune, March 5, 1929, page B8


    Wm. H. Cope, president of Copeonia, Incorporated, a concern organized here about a year ago for the purpose of promoting a motion picture studio to be used by Los Angeles film companies while on location work in Oregon, died about 7 o'clock last night from injuries sustained when he was struck by an automobile driven by Fred Brown, Willard Battery Station employee. The accident occurred about 4:30 o'clock at the east approach of the Oak Street bridge. The injured man was removed to Mercy Hospital, where his death occurred within a short time.
    According to Mr. Brown, driver of the auto, and the one eyewitness, Mrs. Geo. Stephens, Mr. Cope was standing at the intersection of Flint and Oak streets, near the center of the street, apparently intending to cross Oak Street to the sidewalk on the north side of the bridge.
    Brown was driving east on the bridge, and his speed was reported to be about 20 miles an hour. Cope, it was stated, stepped almost beside the stop sign in the center of Flint Street, and Brown, thinking that Cope was waiting for the car to pass, did not apply his brakes.
    Mr. Cope evidently misjudged the distance and speed of the car and, after hesitating at the intersection, started across Oak Street in front of the machine.
    It was too late for Brown to avoid hitting him, and Cope was knocked down and the car passed over his body. The auto stopped about 100 feet from the spot of the impact.
    The injured man was taken to the hospital, and Dr. B. R. Shoemaker was called to attend him. It was found that both of his legs had been broken above the knee and one of his legs broken below the knee. His head was badly cut, and he was bruised over his entire body. His death resulted from shock about two and a half hours after he was placed in the hospital. He was conscious for about an hour after the accident.
    Mr. Cope came to Roseburg from Portland about a year ago and was engaged in the promotion of the motion picture industry here. He had for several years been working on the theory that Los Angeles concerns, with which he claimed to have been formerly associated, would use a local studio which provided facilities for making the necessary indoor shots to complete pictures taken on location in this vicinity. He proposed to establish a studio for this purpose, together with a laboratory for developing films, to eliminate the necessity of delay in sending films back to Los Angeles. This, in his opinion, would enable the companies to complete their work locally in less time, and
the rental from the studio would furnish a profit to the owners.
    He endeavored to organize a local company and succeeded in securing property north of town for the purpose of erecting the necessary buildings, but no construction work had been arranged.
    Prior to coming to Roseburg Mr. Cope spent several years in Oregon promoting his motion picture plan. A company was organized at Portland and a building constructed, but through lack of sufficient finances the plan was never carried to completion. Similar attempts were made at Eugene and Medford, but without success, after which Mr. Cope came to Roseburg and was working on the proposition here. He made his headquarters at Hotel Rose. Prior to coming to Oregon he was located in Hollywood, where he was evidently connected with some of the leading motion picture concerns.
    Little is known here of his personal history, as he was a very quiet man and seldom talked about his affairs. He has a son, I. H. Cope, in Champaign, Illinois, who has been notified of the tragedy. It is also believed that he leaves a daughter, but her address was not learned. A brother resides in London.
    Plans are being made for an inquest, which will be held as soon as necessary arrangements can be made.
    Funeral services will not be arranged until word is received from the relatives.
Roseburg News-Review, May 4, 1929, page 1


    W. H. Cope, former well-known moving picture studio promoter in Medford, who during his residence of a year or so here while promoting the Rogue River Studios, which venture was only partially completed, and who for the past year had been residing in Roseburg, where he formed a company for that city to erect a proposed studio, died in Roseburg last Saturday of injuries sustained when he was struck by an automobile.
    During his residence in Medford he lived at the Hotel Medford except for a short time before going to Roseburg. Mr. Cope was well known throughout Oregon, as he had resided in this state for 10 years, having been engaged in several motion picture promotion enterprises. He was instrumental in securing the construction of a building for a proposed studio at Beaverton and another at Eugene, among other ventures.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 6, 1929, page 3


    Action was filed this week in circuit court by C. E. Swallow, building contractor, for the appointment of a receiver for the Rogue River Studios, Inc., naming C. E. Gates, George Flint and H. Hutton as officers of the corporation, each supposed to have $50,000 stock in the company.
    A judgment of $8620 was returned in favor of Swallow in court some time ago when he filed suit against the company for materials and services rendered. Due to the fact that the plaintiff could not find anything to attach for his money, he is asking for the appointment of a receiver and in this way gain access to the stock subscriptions. It was indicated there would be other suits filed if the receiver is appointed.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 26, 1929, page 8


    Lincoln's entire life was one of extraordinary service to his state and to the nation.
    In a vast measure the success of our country can be attributed to his broad-minded spirit of SERVICE.
    In turn, we proclaim a service which, in a great measure, ensures the success of our patrons.
    The completion of a sale is the beginning of Paramount service, which enables our patrons to develop their business with a minimum of time and expense.
    Realizing fully that our success depends upon that of our clients, we extend Paramount service cheerfully and extensively to the end that it may be regarded as dependable, definite and complete. Paramount Fur Farms, Inc., Box 412, Corvallis, Oregon. G. W. Flint, Manager.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 11, 1930, page 11


    Claiming that the plaintiff, C. E. Swallow, local contractor, has no authority to press a suit for money in connection with work done on the construction of a studio building for Medford's ill-fated moving picture studio promotion, C. E. Gates and Harry Hutton filed an answer in circuit court yesterday afternoon to Swallow's complaint to collect $8,200 for labor and materially on the unfinished building--a reminder of a dream that never came true.
    The structure stands, weather-beaten and deserted, in a group of oak trees near the Crater Lake Highway, a short distance north of Medford.
    Swallow claims that the defendants are indebted to the company to the extent of $50,000 each for stock they hold in the organization. The defendants say the stock was presented to them fully paid up in return for the use of their names as officers in the concern, giving the organization, in the minds of the promoters, the necessary prestige desired. Gates held the title of president and Hutton was named secretary.
    Inasmuch as a receiver has been appointed for the company, and due to the fact that the defendants did not become indebted to the concern by the acceptance of stock, the defendants point out in their answer that Swallow has no right to press the collection, as they have no liabilities in connection with the concern.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 21, 1931, page 1


    WHEREAS, JAMES W. MOTT, Corporation Commissioner of the State of Oregon, as required by Section 25-250, Oregon Code, did on the fourth day of January, 1932, report to me as the Governor of the State of Oregon, a list of all the corporations organized under the laws of the State of Oregon for gain, which for two consecutive years or more next preceding the said fourth day of January, 1932, have failed, neglected or refused to furnish him, the said Corporation Commissioner, any statement required to be furnished under any law of this state, or to pay any license fee required to be paid under any law of this state; and
    WHEREAS, said report of the Corporation Commissioner, so made as aforesaid, contains the names of the following corporations which for two consecutive years or more next preceding the date of the report have failed, neglected or refused to furnish any such statements or to pay any such license fee, to wit:
Medford Mail Tribune, January 20, 1932, page 4


    Equity cases are being heard this week in circuit court before Judge H. D. Norton.
    Arguments and testimony were heard today and yesterday in the suit of C. E. Swallow against C. E. Gates and H. H. Hutton and others for money allegedly due for construction of the movie studio, the skeleton of which still stands on the Crater Lake Highway, near the airport. Swallow was the contractor. The case is largely technical.
    The date for calling the petit jury is problematical. They were excused last Monday, subject to call, but no definite date has yet been set.
    The grand jury which has been in session this week is expected to complete its labors late today or early tomorrow morning. Minor matters have occupied their attention, including the Upper Applegate dog shooting episode and the Diamond Lake cabin entry case. A number of high school boys were called as witnesses in the latter case. Josiah Hibbard of Butte Falls is the foreman.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 26, 1932, page 7


    MEDFORD, Or., July 10.--(Special.)--C. E. Swallow of Corvallis was awarded a judgment of $8200 plus interest since June 6, 1929, from C. E. Gates and H. Hutton, both of this city, as an outgrowth of the promotion of the Rogue River movie studios here several years ago, in the announcement made yesterday by Judge Norton.
Oregonian, Portland, July 11, 1932, page 2


    A reunion of the W. H. Cope family was held at Kutztown Park. Direct descendants registered were 44. Following the business meeting, a program of entertainment was presented, after which a basket luncheon was served.
    Letters of good wishes were read to the family group from members who were unable to attend, Harvey Cope, of Medford, Oregon, and C. B. Cope, of Cleveland, O., who is head of the Spencerian College at Cleveland.
Reading Eagle, Reading, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1939, page 9  There were an awful lot of W. H. Copes.

Last revised August 23, 2024