Wednesday afternoon, H. B. Myers, the jeweler, while under the influence of liquor, went to the hardware store of Beek & Son and secured a .38 caliber Colts revolver and some cartridges, telling the salesman, John Norris, he would try the weapon and if found as represented he would purchase it. Mr. Norris at the time had no idea he was under the influence of liquor and of course readily complied. It seems he went directly from there to the saloon of A. H. Helms on [South] Front Street, where he had a drink with some of the hangers on, of course standing treat. Among those in the place at the time were several "tinhorns" who soon proposed a game and got him into the back room for that purpose. The bartender would not let them have cards or chips to play, and Myers, it is said, gave a boy $2.00 to go out and get a deck of cards. While the boy was out after the cards Myers pulled out the gun, calling the attention of those present to its qualities and by way of emphasizing them started into shooting through the back door. Four shots were fired, two of them through the frame of the door and two through the glass. Two shots passed entirely through the water closet and crossed the alley in the rear of the saloon, leaving their imprint on the woodshed back of the book store.
    As soon as the shots were heard, Mr. Helms hurried to the saloon and rushed to the back room where he found them putting up a target on the wall to shoot at, which piece of business he immediately put a stop to. Soon after Myers left the saloon and repaired to the Turf Exchange, where he again created a disturbance and flourished his gun. Here, or in the immediate vicinity, he remained until supper time, although during that time he was disarmed by Chief of Police Amann. During the chief of police's absence at supper J. W. Fredenburg, his deputy, was left to watch for his appearance on the street and just before he returned from his supper Myers came out of the saloon and was immediately arrested by policeman Fredenburg and taken to the city jail, Chief of Police Amann arriving in time to assist in locking him up. Here he remained until 9 o'clock Thursday morning, when he was taken before Recorder York and given the nominal fine of $26.50, which he paid, and was discharged. As this is the second time in the past year he has been up before the city recorder for being drunk, disorderly and making a spectacular gun play, the recorder is open to just censure for not giving him the full fine the offense justifies, as well as in not making him give bonds to keep the peace.
    If the lives of the citizens of the community are to be put in jeopardy by every drunken man for the paltry sum of $26.50, we will no doubt have a veritable reign of terror in Medford, for it is well known the town is overrun with a worthless lot of "tinhorn" gamblers and depraved wretches, who live off the earnings of fallen women. And in speaking of this class, let us say they should be run out of town. There is no use for them in a decent community. They are an eyesore and a blot upon the city's fair name as well as tending to deprave many promising young men. It is said Myers was not alone in the shooting, that another did part of it, while it was also intimated he was "doped." But be that as it may it is a shame and a disgrace that it is possible for these things to occur.
    We are sorry to be compelled to speak so plainly of these matters. But when we see innocent boys and girls thrown into companionship daily with this "sporting fraternity" we think it is high time the community was aroused to the danger.
    Before long we shall prepare a list for publication of the sporting fraternity of Medford who are recognized in this county as "tinhorns," so the ignorant and innocent may profit thereby.
Medford Enquirer, March 8, 1902, page 4


    Medford Enquirer, July 8: Last evening H. B. Myers, the jeweler who has figured in several sensational scrapes during the past year, went on a drunk, visiting the saloon of A. M. Helms on Front Street; he engaged in a quarrel with the proprietor but finally was ejected therefrom. This proceeding making him very angry, he repaired to his shop and armed himself with two iron bars about 14 inches long--used for making and measuring rings--which weigh about two or two and a half pounds apiece, and again returned to the saloon with a thirst for vengeance upon its proprietor. After abusing Helms he assaulted him with one of the bars, and in the melee following Helms took the bar away from him and knocked him down with it by a lick upon the back of the head. Myers was then again put out of the saloon; after being out a short time he returned the third time and again assaulted Helms behind the bar with the second iron rod and a pocket knife. Here they fought for some time like tigers before parties could get hold and part them, and when parted they were both covered with blood. Luckily Helms escaped with a few slight cuts and bruises, while Myers was taken home supposed to be seriously injured, but this morning was able to come downtown with nothing much worse than a swollen face to show for the fight. So far there have been no arrests made, and people are wondering if Myers, like Tracy, has terrorized the community. After the first round the deputy marshal was called but as usual did nothing, as there was nobody present to force him to do his duty. A warrant has been sworn out this afternoon for Myers' arrest, but he has left town and his whereabouts are at present unknown.

    Seven hoboes last evening attempted to rob an intoxicated man in the alley at the rear of the Bass and Hall saloon. The man gave an alarm and attracted the bartender. When he came the men went right on with their "rough stuff," at the same time bawling the bartender out. He sent in a police call and Officer W. B. Hall appeared in time to stop the men as they were about to make their getaway. He lined them up in front of the garage at South Central and Eighth Street; even then one of them making his escape.
    Hall marched them up Front Street to police headquarters and soon Officer Helm came to his rescue. The men will be run out of town this morning, so it is planned.
Medford Sun, April 26, 1911, page 1

    Ti Lee, a Chinese cook at the Nash Grill, pulled a six-shooter on Charlie Mong, an Ashland Chinaman, in front of the Manhattan Cafe about 11 o'clock this morning, but Sergeant Pat Mego took the weapon away from him before he could pull the trigger. Both Mongolians were insane with rage and hurled death threats in their native tongue. Both are in the city jail awaiting a preliminary hearing before Justice Taylor.
    Mong came up from Ashland Sunday to collect a debt from Ti Lee, and local Chinamen claim they have been arguing the question ever since. The debt was contracted, they say, in a poker game, and that Ti Lee owes much money, which he refuses to pay. Ti Lee, they declare, was getting ready to leave on the train when Mong made his demand. Ti Lee then made his gun play, which Sergeant Mego thwarted by nearly twisting the wrist off the Oriental.
    The pair were put in separate cells in the city jail, where they continued their argument. According to the police, Ti Lee has been on the warpath for the last month, and in an ugly mood all the time.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 4, 1913, page 4




    An epidemic of dog fights broke out on Front Street Friday afternoon, between about a dozen country dogs and Mose Barkdull's "Turk," the most belligerent of Medford canines. "Shorty" Miles' Airedale, called "Mike," stood on the sidelines out of danger and barked.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, March 7, 1914, page 2


Ashland Tidings, July 27, 1914, page 1


    Andreas Price, a laborer top-heavy with booze, ran amuck this afternoon in the Oaks pool hall, and it took six men to subdue him. He was put in the city cooler and chained to a bunk until he quiets down. Until arrested he was raising "Ned," cursing and fighting. His face is bruised and battered from many blows. A wallop to the solar plexus laid him out. Price is the wildest case the police have had to handle in some time.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, August 26, 1914, page 2


    A warlike spirit that would gladden the heart of Kaiser Bill pervaded 20 Medford and three Portland citizens Tuesday night in front of the Nash Hotel, and the police had considerable difficulty in preventing an outbreak of hostilities. A man by the name of Robinson employed by the S.P. claimed that his neutrality had been violated by an insult offered by one of the Portlanders, and that nothing would suffice to heal his wounded honor but a limbering up of fists. Officers Cady and Crawford finally quelled the disturbance, and the police were on the lookout this morning for another outbreak. All is quiet now.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, September 16, 1914, page 2

    Initial steps in the regeneration of Front Street have been taken with the purchase by R. Nurmi of the Nurmi Bakery of the Seattle Rooming House structure on South Front Street, in which he will install a $4000 baking plant and machinery. The structure will be remodeled and repainted and a new front installed. The contract for this work has been let to contractor Lines, who has begun the work of tearing down the rear.
    It is the intention of Mr. Nurmi to install a modern bread-making plant, with all the machinery in full view, and expects to be in full operation within two months. The second story will also undergo repairs and remodeling.
    The new enterprise will add new tone to a portion of the business district of the city, sarcastically known in the past as "Whisky Row." According to Commercial Club reports, a move is under way for the tearing down and removal of the unsightly shacks at the end of the block, for the building of more sightly buildings.
    Work upon the oven to be used by the bakery will begin next week.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 31, 1916, page 6

    Tom Murphy, the local junk dealer, was cooking home brew yesterday evening about seven o'clock, at his residence on South Front Street. The seductive aroma of the mixture of hops and corn assailed the nostrils of George Douglas, the upholsterer, who was passing. George, who once imbibed of a Jacksonville mixture which raised boils on his neck, announced that he wanted a drink. Mr. Murphy left his kettle long enough to announce that the pilgrim of thirst was not welcome.
    "You blankety blank bum," proclaimed the upholsterer, "if you don't give me a drink I'll come and get it."
    "You enter this house and I"ll fill you full of daylight," was the reported rejoinder.
    Whereupon Douglas, who knows no fear when a drink is concerned, entered the sacred precincts of home brew and was met by a horse pistol about the size of Herr Krupp's Big Bertha. A wrestling match ensued during which Murphy fired two shots, one grazing the intruder's temple and the other inflicting a slight flesh wound in the chest. Murphy had the wounded man down and was endeavoring to rap him on the head with the heavy end of his firearm when Jack Plymale heard the rumpus and, sailing in, separated the two men.
    Night policeman Adams arrived at this point and placed Murphy under arrest, also corralling a copper boiler filled with what appeared to be sour mash and two dozen bottles, properly corked, filled with liquefied rough-on-rats.
    At a hearing before Justice Taylor this morning Murphy was held under $2000 bonds to the grand jury, charged with assault with intent to kill. Tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock Murphy will be given a hearing on having a homemade still in his possession.
    Douglas was able to be about as usual today, his wounds being of a very innocuous character. The affair aroused considerable excitement on South Front Street during the vesper hour. The trial promises to involve a hot legal battle over how far the proprietor of a home-brew castle may go in protecting his home and firewater.   
Medford Mail Tribune, August 3, 1920, page 1


    Tom Murphy, principal in the Front Street shooting affray last Monday evening, was found guilty of infringement of the bone dry law in Justice Taylor's court yesterday afternoon, and was given 30 days in jail and $100 fine. Two dozen bottles of hooch, a wash boiler half-filled with sour mash and several gallon jugs containing home brew were offered in evidence. Murphy's only defense was that he cooked the combination of corn and hops for the benefit of his stomach. Judge Taylor decided any stomach that could stand the evidence offered was not in a very serious condition. As Murphy was in jail anyway on the "attempt to kill" charge, now awaiting the October term of court, the sentence does not materially affect his future plans. Night Officer Adams, Sheriff Terrill and Deputy Sheriff Schrader were witnesses for the state. Murphy had no witnesses and refused the services of a lawyer.
"Local Briefs," Medford Mail Tribune, August 5, 1920, page 2

    F. K. Lightfoot, 30, of Weed, Cal., lies seriously wounded at the Sacred Heart Hospital as the result of being stabbed by Jack Phillips, 24, a local laborer, at 11:40 last night in the Jewell Cafe, a Front Street establishment, during a fight over a young woman named Edith Maxey, an employee of the cafe. Immediately after the stabbing affray Phillips disappeared, but the police and sheriff's staff are searching for him. Lightfoot's condition is serious.
    According to local police, Lightfoot recently came to the city from Weed, where he had kept company with Miss Maxey, who has been in Medford for several weeks. During the time she has been in the city she was much in the company of Phillips, and when Lightfoot became aware of the fact he became jealous, it is believed.
    Last night Phillips and Miss Maxey attended a moving picture show. This so enraged Lightfoot that he waited in the cafe for their arrival, and after a few words with Phillips on their return, he attacked the latter. Phillips, it is said, picked up a sharp instrument, which Dr. R. J. Conroy, the attending physician, thought was an ice pick or knife, and stabbed Lightfoot in the abdomen beneath the right ribs, in the wrist and on the leg. Lightfoot had his fighting spirit so high than he was not aware he was stabbed until he became weak and felt blood trickling into his shoes. At this point Phillips fled from the scene.
    The injured man staggered out of the building and made his way to Brown's, Main and Front streets, where Dr. Conroy and the ambulance were summoned, first aid treatment given and the wounded man was rushed to Sacred Heart Hospital.
    When the fight began Miss Maxey fled from the cafe through a back door into the alley, but when she was informed that Lightfoot was stabbed she immediately hurried to the hospital.
    Attaches of the cafe state that an ice pick could not have been used in the stabbing, as there is only one in the establishment, and that one had been picked up at the beginning of the fracas to prevent it from being used.
    When Phillips fled from the scene of the affray he was clad in blue trousers and a khaki shirt. It is believed that he had roomed at some local rooming house, but which one it is not known.
    The only information Lightfoot gave about himself was that he was from Weed, and that his father's home was at Hebo, Ore., to whom police sent word of what had happened.
    Miss Maxey was questioned this forenoon by Allison Moulton, assistant district attorney, for information in connection with the case, but what was learned is not known.

    Hard cider has its drawbacks, especially when surreptitiously taken, think four Ashland high school boys, arrested by local police Saturday night at the Rogue River Valley Canning Company, where the boys had appropriated five quarts of the beverage by bailing it from the large vinegar tank, where the cider was fermenting. The four were severely reprimanded by authorities this forenoon and given into the custody of their parents.
    The method of procedure used in taking the cider is simple, say police. The large cannery building is open and easily accessible to the nightly wanderings of daring and thrill-loving youths. The vinegar tank, located under an opening in the roof, afforded tempting opportunities to the boys to lower a pail into the several hundred gallons without resorting to burglary.
    The four were on the roof, according to officers, when they were apprehended with the small amount in their possession. This morning they were more or less remorse-stricken and seemed to be worried.
    It is said that hard cider thieving has been going on in the city spasmodically for some time past, but until last night, although careful watch has been kept, none of the perpetrators were ever caught. Police say lives were risked when the cider was taken, as it was an easy matter to slip from the roof into the tank.

    That the present portable hot dog stands of the business section of the city are doomed, and soon will be no more, and that no further permits will be issued by the city building department for such portable restaurants, became public at the city council meeting last night, the subject being brought to a head by a protesting communication to the council received from the city planning commission.
    The several new so-called hot dog stands, at which hungry citizens have been wont to refresh themselves with hamburger, wiener and other sandwiches, chili con carne and the like, and which sprang into existence in the past few weeks, have proved a puzzling problem to the city administration, both because of the unsightly little establishments and the fact that the restaurant men have been protesting vigorously.
    Until recently there was only one of these stands, and that on Front Street, and established several years ago.
    Nothing much was thought of these miniature quick lunch joints, although they aroused considerable talk, until the last one was recently established right under the nose of the city hall at the corner of West Sixth and North Front streets, on the vacant lot just opposite the city hall, the proprietor of which, it is claimed, pays $37.50 a month ground rent to J. F. Hittson, who holds the lease on the lot and has long occupied it as a location for the sale of used cars.
    This raised a general protest, but long before the protests began to reach the mayor and councilmen, the city officials had taken notice and were preparing to take some sort of action to do away with such unsightly stands. They first discussed the matter at the council meeting two weeks ago.
    The new stand on South Riverside Avenue, between the public market and Derick's cafeteria, also helped along the general protest. Mr. Derick is very indignant over the establishment of this portable hot dog stand right under the nose of his restaurant, to house which, with its expensive equipment, he several years ago built a concrete fireproof building at a cost of $15,000, on conformance with all the city restrictions.
    The council is in a bad dilemma, through the fact that the city building department issued building permits for these portable stands, as at the time, so far as could then be learned, there was no restriction against them. Permits were issued for small frame outbuildings, it is said. One of the puzzling features is the fact that after they had obtained their permits the proprietors of the hot dog stands fitted up their stands at considerable expense and became established in business.
    Other cities in Oregon are contending with the same nuisance, which has grown up under the nose of the city administrations without their noticing it until too late, including Salem, the state capital. There a hot dog stand exists directly in front of the court house.
    In his visit last week at Salem, Mayor Alenderfer took up the matter of the portable hot dog stand situation here with John H. Carkin, city attorney of Medford, and as to the best means to employ in getting rid of them, Mr. Carkin, not having the city ordinances handy, confessed that he was stumped for the time being as to what course to be pursued, although he expressed the opinion, Mayor Alenderfer told the city council last night, that several means could undoubtedly be employed to get rid of portable lunch stands in objectionable locations.
    Nothing will be done along this line, beyond the use of possible moral suasion, until the legislative session ends the last of this week, and Mr. Carkin arrives home, probably early next week.
    One result of the protests which have been raised against the portable lunch stands is that the city council has issued orders that hereafter, whenever a permit is sought for any questionable building, the matter must be put up to the city planning commission for its approval or disapproval.
    The city planning commission's protest received by the city council last night asked the council to see that the stand at the corner of Sixth and Front streets be removed as unsightly, etc. Larry Schade, member of the city planning commission, who was present at the meeting to see what action the council took on the protest, explained to the council that the commission's protest was brought on by so many telephone and personal protests received by that body against this unsightly stand.
    The commissioner's protest asking removal recommended that the hot dog stand owners be reimbursed, if compelled to vacate. The commission, Mr. Schade said, would be satisfied to let the matter rest until City Attorney Carkin's return to the city.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 16, 1927, page 1

    As the result of a carefully planned dry raid campaign, led by federal officers, nearly 20 arrests have been made in and near Medford since Monday, with the possibility of more this week. The raids began Monday afternoon in the Forest Creek section with the arrest of six local men, three of whom are proprietors of soft drink establishments on Front Street.
    It is possible the federal government may institute padlock proceedings against the Idle Hour, Estes and Pastime pool halls on grounds of being public nuisances. Rankin Estes, Phil Rinehart, proprietor of the Pastime, W. Taylor, bartender, and Archie Sutherland and Harold Sutherland of the Idle Hour are accused of selling bitters by the drink and for beverage purposes.
    Taylor and Harold Sutherland are in the county jail, and the others are at liberty pending preliminary hearings scheduled to be held this afternoon.
    The sale of bitters and other medicines containing alcohol in small quantities as stimulants is prohibited by federal law and in the state is prohibited as the result of the recent passage of a law restricting the sale by only licensed drug stores.
    Mrs. Jane Wolgamott, a woman of 50 years, was arrested on East Main Street this forenoon on a warrant alleging sale, and she will have a hearing today or tomorrow. Ray Sargent was arrested in the Griffin Creek section on a warrant alleging sale, and he has been released on his own recognizance, pending hearing. The release was ordered in view of his sick wife demanding his attention at home.
    Yesterday Dewey Agers was arrested at Phoenix on a warrant sworn on a sales charge. His was the first arrest of the afternoon, and was followed by the arrest of Joe Mayham at Eagle Point on a similar charge. Coming to Medford, Eddie Keeler and Sam McClendon were arrested on charges of sale. The same charge also caused the arrest of A. E. Carpenter at a local auto camp. Carpenter is alleged to have been selling liquor from the same cabin where Ted McCrary was arrested last week for selling Officer Talent three pints of gin.
    Arrested by the police, Wenton Keeler, brother of Eddie Keeler, and R. E. Burns were sentenced Monday in justice court on booze charges to terms in the county jail. Fred Knox, arrested Saturday for possession of home brew, was fined $50 in justice court.
    When they appeared for arraignment yesterday afternoon on charges of possession of moonshine, George Wolff was given until today to plead, as were the three others, L. Cyphert, Autie King and George Reed. Wolff's bail was set at $1000, while $750 each was the bail sent for his three alleged partners. Officers say they found 40 gallons of alleged moonshine on the Wolff place at Forest Creek, with 15 gallons found under a woodpile and other jugs found hidden under bushes. It is possible Wolff may be turned over to federal authorities.
    Evidence for the warrants was obtained by two federal undercover men who allege they made purchases from the different defendants.
    The officers taking part in the raids included L. O. Shirley, district federal enforcement head; Jerry Talent, Clarence Worden and Deputy Sheriffs Louis and Paul Jennings, and the two undercover men.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 8, 1929, page 3

    Although the three pool and card room proprietors whose licenses were revoked and their bonds declared forfeit by the city council last Monday forenoon, because of their having pleaded guilty in court to selling "bitters" or tonics, by the glass, following a raid made by federal prohibition enforcement authorities, and their friends have been beseeching Mayor Pipes ever since to lift the ban and grant new licenses and bonds, on their promise to hereafter not to sell any intoxicants, these pleas have evidently had no effect.
    When asked this noon as to whether he was going to permit these establishments to open up again, and if so when, Mayor Pipes only smiled and said he had nothing to say on the subject. Asked specifically if the city administration was going to relent in its attitude and permit the three pool and card room proprietors to take out new licenses on or before the city council meeting next Tuesday, he answered "no," said the meeting had nothing to do with the matter, and intimated that if ever new licenses were granted, the period would be indefinite.
    The mayor has impressed on the three proprietors and the many others who have been laboring with him in their behalf that the amended city ordinance governing card and pool rooms, and which will be passed by the city council next Tuesday night, would have teeth incorporated which would make the hair curl of the card and pool room proprietors.
    It is understood that the three whose licenses were revoked have all come voluntarily to the mayor and declared they would never again sell "bitters" or other intoxicants, and would obey to the limit every city ordinance, and asked to be permitted to take out new licenses and open up again. These establishments have been financially hard hit since their licenses to operate card and billiard and pool tables were revoked. They can only sell tobaccos, lunch and the like now.
    The raiding of these three out of all Medford's card and pool rooms has roused much comment generally about the city, and especially as to why two such places, which had made a practice of selling "bitters," were not raided. These two places were reported to have had the heaviest sale of bitters.
    The public general talk is gradually growing more pronounced as the rumor spreads that other card and pool rooms had been "tipped off" in time, so that the undercover federal prohibition agents were unable to buy "bitters" in these places and thus obtain evidence against them.
    This talk about certain card and pool rooms having allegedly been "tipped off" has been so widely circulated that even a minister of the city visited the mayor and asked why the other pool and card rooms were not raided and closed.
    The only general answer that can be given to this question is that the raiding authorities were unable to obtain evidence on which to make arrests, through the inability of their agents to buy bitters in them. It seems that all of a sudden sometime prior in the raid these establishments ceased selling bitters to anyone not known to them, and thus evidence could not be obtained.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 16, 1929, page 8


    The three pool halls and card rooms on Front Street, the licenses of which were recently revoked by the city, are mostly deserted places since the licenses were taken away. Card tables and chairs are empty, and billiard tables are no attraction. The licenses were revoked as an aftermath of the arrest of the proprietors of Front Street establishment for selling "bitters" by the drink.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, May 18, 1929, page 2


Medford Mail Tribune, May 24, 1929, page 7


Skid Row Is Blamed
    To the Editor: Can a community operate and maintain a skid row for the benefit of the veterans and then expect to pass the buck to a few policemen because things don't go right? Why not get to the root of the matter and do away with the booze joints? A more efficient way to take care of the drunks is not the answer.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 31, 1931, page 4


    Charles Erway, 1116 West Ninth Street, sustained severe but not necessarily fatal knife wounds about the neck and shoulders as the climax of a fight this afternoon on South Front Street between A. E. Lindsay and Elden Lindsay, father and son, and Lee Smith and Erway. The Lindsays are held in the city jail. Erway's wounds were dressed by Dr. R. W. Sleeter.
    The fight occurred in front of Price's second-hand store [at 31 South Front], and was stopped by Rankin Estes.
    Chief of Police McCredie attributed the battle to a dispute over liquor. The elder Lindsay attributed the cause to bad blood over domestic matters, which have existed for some time. He claimed his home has been broken up.
    The fight occurred when the four men met on South Front Street, and hot words led to blows. During the melee a knife was drawn, but it has not been established which one of the Lindsays wielded it.
    The elder Lindsay sustained facial injuries and gashes. The son was unscathed.
    All the participants are residents of this city.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 26, 1932, page 1

    A brief survey this week disclosed the well-known fact there are seven so-called speakeasies in and around Medford, ranging all the way from semi-respectable, well-managed places to dirty hovels of filth and vice, where victims have been known to be drugged, robbed and thrown out when they have been cleaned.
    At least five of these establishments maintain women of disreputable character, according to information, and serve home brew under 3.2 beer labels. All serve moonshine, of varying quality, and minors have been patronizing practically all the houses.
    One interesting sidelight came following the death of one man who was returning from a roadhouse when the proprietor of the establishment approached a Medford newspaper office with the request that the name of his place be deleted from the news--the unfavorable publicity was ruining his business!
Jacksonville Miner, October 27, 1933, page 1

    Removal of one of the last of the Front St. taverns was assured by action of the Medford city council last night.
    The group, despite the protests of a "stirred-up" downtown businessman, approved the transfer of the liquor license for Otto's Tavern from 39 South Front St. to a new location at 2940 North Pacific Highway.
    Charles Burton Broomfield, proprietor of the tavern, was represented last night by Medford lawyer Joel B. Reeder, who said his client's lease at the Front St. location will expire Nov. 1, and that its operation would close Oct. 15.
    But George Lewis, owner of Rogue Travel Service, 111 East Eighth St., urged the council the "eliminate" the tavern rather than transfer its location.
Should Be Eliminated
    "Front Street has been a pig sty for years," Lewis charged, "and you shouldn't sweep it under the rug. You should eliminate it entirely."
    Lewis, whose business is located about a half-block away from Otto's Tavern, claimed the proprietors "haven't done a decent job." He said he has had to call the police at least once a week about things "these dregs of humanity have done."
    He said he was at complete variance with the city police report, which had found no reason to recommend against the transfer. "The proprietors will run a poor establishment," he predicted. "Their patrons have ruined my business for five years."
    Reeder replied that the new North Pacific Highway location would "not be objectionable," He pointed out that there will be "no close grouping of taverns," and that the closest similar operation would be about one-quarter mile away.
    "As long as there is a demand for this kind of operation, and as long as it is approved by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, it should be continued," he stated.
    Police Capt. Clyde C. Fichtner, in answer to councilmen's questions, said that taverns were more of a problem when they were "concentrated" in one area, such as Front St.
    Mayor James Dunlevy agreed that "decentralization will help minimize the problem." The vote to permit the transfer of the license was unanimous.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 20, 1963, page 1