A NEW TERRITORY.--The following extract is from a lengthy leader in the Yreka Herald:
    "We want but to be properly represented in the general government to secure to us the aid to which we are entitled, and which is so necessary to the growth and development of this part of the country.
    "We want a new territory. The people of the Umpqua say so! Humboldt, Klamath and Siskiyou are unanimous in favor of it. The Rogue River country join with one unanimous consent. A voice from Mendocino to the Umpqua cries let us have a new territory. It is caught up in the mountains and is resounded from the Trinity to the Calapooia. The people are unanimous."
Sacramento Daily Union, December 28, 1853, page 2


    NEW TERRITORY.--The people in the southern counties of Oregon, and northern counties of California, are out in favor of a new territory, in which they propose to include Shasta, Trinity, Humboldt, Siskiyou and Klamath counties. The Yreka Herald says:
    Northern California and Southern Oregon--A New Territory.--The increase
of population, the permanent growth, the steady progress of improvement, and the almost daily development of new resources of wealth in Northern California and Southern Oregon, have rendered this section not only the most wealthy, but given it advantages over any other portion of the Pacific Coast.
    Here we have a climate which for health is not surpassed by any in the known world. We are free from all fevers, floods, and pestilences of the Sacramento Valley. The farmer has a market at home for all his produce, with natural barriers against all competition from abroad forever. Our valleys are fast settling up, and the voice of the plowman may be heard, as he turns the virgin soil, mingling with the echo of the woodman's ax. The hardy sons of the farmer pioneers of the Western States are progressing with their improvements. They bring with them their families, and are making for themselves a home in this delightful country, where the monster poverty is easily conquered, and where fortune smiles upon all who persevere in industry and sobriety. The auriferous deposits are as rich and extensive as any in California, affording profitable employment to thousands of miners. In short, our population will in one year from the present time be immense.
    As yet we have received little of the benefits from the general government to which our comparative importance entitles us.
    The interests of Northern California and Southern Oregon are identical--while those of Northern Oregon and Southern California, with which we are now connected by state and territorial bands, differ from us widely in interest.
    For the better development of our numerous and extensive resources of wealth, it is necessary that this portion of the country should be formed into a new Territory. We want a voice in our national assembly, to urge upon Congress our immediate wants. We have never had any of the benefits of the appropriations either to California or Oregon. They are of course swallowed up, either by the dull
monster of the north or the grasp of the south. Connected as we are with California
and Oregon, although we pay our full proportion of tax, yet owing to our great distance from, and the difficulty of access to the capitols, we are a drag upon both
state and territory. Our representatives both from Oregon and California, in the general government, have been so wrapped up in the mighty affairs of the older settled portions of the State and Territory, that they have neglected to secure for us even the benefit of a postal arrangement of any kind, with the exception of a one-horse mail from Oregon semi-occasionally.
    Our Indian affairs have either been grossly neglected or attended to in a halfway kind of style, which is far worse than entire neglect--leaving the hardy pioneer to defend himself and his family from the murderous hand of the savage as best he could, or be murdered like dogs--our cattle driven off and our property destroyed
with impunity.
    Our bays and rivers are susceptible of great improvement.
    We want but to be properly represented in the general government to secure to us the aid to which we are entitled, and which is so necessary to the growth and development of this part of the country.
    We want a new Territory. The people of the Umpqua say so. Humboldt, Klamath, and Siskiyou are unanimous in favor of it. The Rogue River country join with one unanimous consent. A voice from Mendocino to the Umpqua cries, let us have a new Territory. It is caught up in the mountains and is resounded from the Trinity to the Calapooya. The people are unanimous.
Nevada Journal, Nevada City, California, January 6, 1854, page 1


    We are indebted to C. C. Beekman, of Cram, Rogers & Co.'s Express, for the Mountain Herald of Dec. 31st.
    We perceive that a call has been made, by prominent gentlemen, upon citizens of Jackson County, O.T., to assemble in general mass meeting at the Robinson House, Jacksonville, on Saturday the 7th day of January, 1854, at 4 o'clock p.m., for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of taking measures to effect the formation of a new Territory out of that portion of Southern Oregon and Northern California lying between the Calapooya Mountains on the north and the Trinity Mountains on the south; and also to appoint delegates to a general convention to be held at Jacksonville, on the 23th day of January next. A similar call has been made upon the citizens of Siskiyou, to meet in Yreka on the 14th inst., for the same purpose. Indeed, leading citizens of Jackson, Douglas and Umpqua counties, Oregon, and of Siskiyou and Klamath counties, California, have taken all the necessary steps to secure a full representation in the proposed general convention, to be held at Jacksonville on the 2th inst. The Herald advocates the movement.
Shasta Courier, Shasta, California, January 7, 1854, page 2


    NEW TERRITORY.--The citizens of Klamath and Siskiyou counties, in this state, and Douglas and Umpqua counties, in Oregon Territory, are to hold meetings in their several counties, and appoint delegates to a general convention to be held at Jacksonville on the 25th inst. The convention has for its object the formation of a new territory out of that portion of Oregon lying south of the Calapooya Mountains, and that portion of California lying north of the Trinity Mountains.
Sacramento Daily Union, January 9, 1854, page 2


    THE NEW TERRITORY.--Mass meetings were to be held in this connection at Jacksonville, O.T., on the 7th, and at Yreka on the 14th inst. The convention will be held at Jacksonville on the 25th inst.
Sacramento Daily Union, January 16, 1854, page 2


    DIVISION OF THE TERRITORY.--We have been shown letters received by the southern members, urging upon them the necessity and expedience of making a move for the division of the Territory. A convention is to be held on the 25th of this month in Jacksonville, for the furtherance of this object. It is contemplated to make a new Territory out of that portion of California north of the Trinity Mountains and of that portion of Oregon south of the Calapooias. This question and the one in regard to the relocation of the public buildings have been prolific of considerable outdoor discussion. A majority of the members are opposed to a division of the Territory at the present time, but are willing to give the south the university if the southern members can agree on the location, but there seems to be but little probability of this, as the members of Umpqua and Douglas desire its location at Winchester, and the members of Jackson County at Jacksonville.
"Legislative Summary," Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, January 24, 1854, page 2


    A NEW TERRITORY.--It seems the people in the northern portion of this state and the southern portion of Oregon are moving in earnest in favor of the creation of a new territory. They were electing delegates to attend a convention which was to have been held at Jacksonville, on the 25th instant.
    In referring to one of these meetings the Mountain Herald says:
    "On our first page will be found the proceedings of the mass meetings of the citizens of Siskiyou County. Able and enthusiastic remarks were made by Judge Robertson, John Cosby, Esq., H. G. Ferris, Esq. and others. The list of delegates from this county to the general convention at Jacksonville, on the 25th, may be found in the proceedings. Siskiyou will have a full delegation there. Never were the people more unanimous on any subject than are the people of the proposed new Territory on this. Let the sentiments of the people be heard at their general convention, so that our national, state and territorial representatives, in their respective legislative bodies, may fully represent our wishes in this important matter."
Sacramento Daily Union, January 31, 1854, page 2


    TERRITORIAL CONVENTION.--In pursuance to a call heretofore noticed, delegates from Siskiyou County, Cal., and Umpqua, Jackson and Coos counties, Oregon Territory, met in convention in Jacksonville, on the 28th January, and organized by the election of H. G. Ferris of Siskiyou, as president; E. Steele, of Yreka, and Samuel Colver of Jacksonville, vice presidents; and T. McF. Patton and C. S. Drew, secretaries. There were 21 delegates present, several counties not being represented at all. 
    The convention resolved to use "every exertion to prevent the formation of a state government in Oregon with its present boundaries." Three committees were appointed to draft memorials--1st, to Congress; 2nd, to the California Legislature; 3rd, to the Oregon Legislature. A committee was also appointed "to draft a petition to circulate among the citizens of the proposed new Territory--said committee to consist of the sheriffs of the said counties."
    The convention then adjourned to meet at Jacksonville on the third Monday of April (the 17th). We are of the opinion that this movement is premature. However, the people of the counties directly interested ought to be the best judges of their wants.
Shasta Courier, Shasta, California, February 11, 1854, page 3


Oregonian, Portland, February 11, 1854, page 2


Oregonian, Portland, February 25, 1854, page 2


    NEW TERRITORY.--A resolution was introduced today in the House of the Legislative Assembly, requesting our Delegate in Congress to use his influence to form a new Territory out of Southern Oregon and Northern California. Every member south of the Calapooya Mountain voted for the resolution, and every one north of this mountain against it. So the resolution was lost, there being only five members south of the proposed northern boundary line of our new Territory. The northern portion of Oregon seems determined to hold on to the south, and compel her to pay taxes without an equal representation.
    Mr. Jackson, from Clackamas County, then introduced a resolution requesting our Delegate to use his influence to prevent the formation of a itory, which passed by a large majority; however, every member south of the Calapooya Mountain voted against it. This vote will be an advantage to the friends of the itory, as it shows that the whole southern delegation are united, and determined to have a itory. The votes of the members north of the Calapooya Mountain, during the whole session, have been oppressive to the south, and well calculated to compel the people to form a itory, and set up for themselves.
    Mr. Martin from Douglas County introduced a bill sometime last week, locating the University of Oregon at Winchester. This bill was summarily laid on the table. Soon afterwards, a bill was introduced in the Council, moving the whole of the public buildings farther south, locating the Penitentiary at Oregon City, the Capitol at Corvallis, late Marysville, and the University at Winchester, for the purpose of doing the southern part of Oregon ample justice in the distribution of the public buildings. But this bill was too just and equitable to pass this august and selfish body. So it was indefinitely postponed yesterday, which gives it a quietus this session.
    Southern Oregon has now nothing to expect from the Legislative Assembly of Oregon, and a division is inevitable. Southern Oregon has more than one-third of the population of the Territory, yet she has only five members in the House out of twenty-six, and only one member in the Council out of nine. As five is to twenty-six, or one to nine, so are the rights, privileges and interests of Southern Oregon respected in this Legislative Assembly. She will pay one-third of the taxes of the Territory, yet she is denied the location of the University, notwithstanding not a dollar has yet been expended at Corvallis. What then has she to expect from the Territorial Legislature? Nothing. But we have one consolation left. We can and will have a itory, without their assistance. Northern California and Southern Oregon have the resources within themselves to make a large, respectable and wealthy state. The proposed itory has fertile valleys, rich mines and good harbors that is equal to any on the Pacific Coast, and she has at this time population enough to support a respectable state government. The sooner a itory is formed, the sooner Northern California and Southern Oregon will become a prosperous, wealthy and happy state of the American Union. I have the honor to remain, yours respectfully,
"Late and Interesting from Oregon," San Francisco Evening Journal, February 21, 1854, page 2


    There has been a movement in Southern Oregon of some significance, working to the erection of a new state in that quarter. Meetings and conventions have been held, and memorials will go forward to Washington urging the proposition.
"Oregon Territory," New York Daily Herald, March 26, 1854, page 2


    The agitation in the north for the formation of a territory out of the Klamath country still continues. Another convention had been called for, to meet at Jacksonville, O.T., on the 7th of April.
"Two Weeks Later from California," Putnam County Courier, Carmel, New York, April 1, 1854, page 2


    From a letter of Gen. Lane's lately published in the Umpqua Herald, we make the following extract in reference to division of the Territory: "Some time since I wrote a letter for publication in relation to the division of Oregon Territory, as proposed by the people of Jacksonville and Yreka, in which I gave my views in opposition to such division, and urged the establishment of a state government, for reasons that I think will be considered legitimate and proper. A new Territory cannot be made as proposed. The delegation from California don't think of entertaining the idea of clipping their state."
Del Norte Record, Crescent City, September 3, 1892, page 1


    A political discussion was had Thursday night by candidates for the various county offices. The discussion was conducted throughout with a spirit of moderation and urbanity, honorable to the participants themselves, and highly pleasing to the audience. During the evening the organization of a new territory to be formed out of the northern part of this state and Southern Oregon was incidentally touched upon. The manner in which the sentiments of the speakers were received by the large assemblage present is but a slight indication of the deep enthusiastic feeling pervading our entire community in favor of the measure.
Del Norte Record, Crescent City, October 1, 1892, page 1


    PROPOSED FORMATION OF A NEW TERRITORY OUT OF SOUTHERN OREGON AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.--On the night of August 17th, a large gathering of the citizens of Crescent City and vicinity took place, to hear the addresses of the various candidates for office. During the evening, says the Herald, the organization of a new Territory, to be formed out of the northern part of this state and Southern Oregon, was incidentally touched upon. The manner in which the sentiments of the speakers were received by the large assemblage present is but a slight indication of the deep enthusiastic feeling pervading our entire community in favor of the measure. At a proper time, the voice of the people in this region upon that question of vital importance to us will be heard, and that, too, with a unanimity astonishing to its few opponents.
Empire County Argus, Coloma, California, September 16, 1854, page 1


    NEW TERRITORY.--The Crescent City Herald earnestly advocates a division of the state and the creation of a Territory out of Northern California and Southern Oregon, which we as seriously deprecate. We do not believe that there are ten men in Humboldt that would favor it and such, we are informed, is the feeling in Trinity. Our interests are identical with those of the merchants of San Francisco, and we hope to wake them up to a knowledge of the importance that we will hereafter become to them.
    [We advocate the formation of a new Territory as a means to develop the resources of this coast and adjacent country, which also will prove to be the surest way of increasing our commerce with San Francisco.--ED. C. C. HERALD.]
"From Humboldt," Crescent City Herald, November 1, 1854, page 2


    A bill was introduced in the Legislature providing for a division of the State of California. The new state is to be called the "State of Columbia," and is to embrace all that part of the state south, and inclusive, of the counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Tuolumne and Calaveras. A portion of the present state debt is to be assumed by the new state on an equitable basis.
Del Norte Record, Crescent City, April 1, 1893, page 1


    Lately the Yreka Union has ably urged the subject of a division, and the Jacksonville Sentinel (O.T.), under date of the 19th ult., says:
    "The new State of Shasta will be formed. It will not be long before the question will be put whether the country between the Siskiyous and Calapooyas will remain attached to Oregon, or connect itself with Shasta. That question is already virtually before the people. The action of the California Legislature precipitates upon the country the whole subject in such a form that it must be disposed of. The discussion that has commenced will be continued until the question is fully settled. New boundaries are to be formed, and of this region every locality must have the opportunity to decide for itself and choose its relation on its own view of interest."
Crescent City Herald, February 6, 1856, page 2


    JOSEPHINE COUNTY, O.T.--Mr. J. R. Hale introduced a bill into the Legislative Assembly of Oregon to divide Jackson County and form of the southern [sic] part of it Josephine County.
Crescent City Herald, February 6, 1856, page 2


    Mr. Watkins moved a substitute [amendment] to the effect that if at any time the majority of the voters of Southern Oregon should desire it, that they might have the privilege of forming a new state in conjunction with a portion of the state of California.
    The chairman decided the amendment out of order.
"Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention," Oregon Argus, Oregon City, August 29, 1857, page 2


    In the year of eighteen hundred and fifty-two, the question was first agitated in Northern California and Southern Oregon relative to the formation of an independent state comprised of the territory therein included. In 1853, a convention was called in the Rogue River Valley to take into consideration the practicability and propriety of these measures, when it was unanimously declared to be the correct policy. An effort was accordingly made in the California Legislature, resulting in the engrossment of a considerable time, and in the proposition of various plans of division, none of which proved satisfactory. Some advocated the propriety of separating the agricultural from the mineral land, urging that their interests were incompatible with the equal laws of a common government, and therefore proposed that the state should be divided into three parts, setting aside the northern counties, which with a liberal slice of Southern Oregon should form the Northern District, and retaining Shasta, the central and a portion of the southern mines for the Southern District, leaving the cow counties, as they are called, for the southern state. After the expenditure of a great deal of gas in the Legislature, by the press and the people, the subject finally settled down into a comparative repose, with the exception of citizens in Siskiyou, the northern counties, and in the Umpqua and Rogue River valleys of Southern Oregon--this portion of the coast not being so easily satisfied with the difficulties with which they were obliged to contend in traveling several hundred miles to and from their respective capital. A temporary quietus was, however, soon placed upon the Umpqua citizens, in the establishment of a Port of Entry at a town founded on the coast by the name of Roseburg [sic]. Here the postal department made it obligatory for the mail steamer to land regularly and exchange its mails, which fact has imparted a sort of independence to that portion of Southern Oregon. But it seems that notwithstanding the necessity of the landing of the mail steamer, there are, owing to fearful shipwrecks, but few vessels whose masters have the hardihood to enter its port; and owing to the expected revision of the general government in the proposed economy of its postal arrangements, even the mail steamer will probably be withdrawn, when they will again be reduced to entire dependence on Crescent City and the overland roads.
    Citizens of the Rogue River Valley are alive, we are informed, to the local advantages of a central government, and in the northern counties of our own state, the question of "division" is again becoming a topic of conversation, and a question of serious consideration.
    The apparent apathy of Central and Southern California in the interests of the North, and their seeming want of confidence in our local importance and worth, is arousing a sense of self-dependence whose natural tendencies are favorable to an independent government. It is true that a railroad, such as we have advocated, would greatly tend to remove the barriers against reciprocity which exist between us, but it also seems true that lower capitalists do not appreciate the common benefits that would result from it; while with us at the North, a railroad or division! is becoming the watchword.
    There are advantages that would accrue to the formation of more states on the Pacific Coast, among the most important of which is the additional influence which we would command in Congress And it is but fair to concede that the increased and increasing importance of the Pacific demands additional votes in our National Legislature. One thing is quite certain--something must be done for the North, or otherwise she will be forced into retrenchment, and to the necessity of acting for herself.--Siskiyou Chronicle.
Daily National Democrat, Marysville, California, January 20, 1859, page 3


    The Siskiyou Chronicle has an article urging the formation of a State out of Northern California and Southern Oregon.
"Further from California," Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, February 17, 1859, page 1


    Several bills were introduced, among them a bill to allow the creation of a new government out of the northern counties and of Southern Oregon. . . .
"Legislative," Sacramento Daily Union, February 18, 1859, page 2


    THE NORTH DEMANDING A SEPARATION.--The Yreka Union demands that the northern part of the state shall be cut off from California and united with Southern Oregon to make a new state, which is to include all the territory west of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains, between parallels 40 and 44 of north latitude.
Daily Alta California, San Francisco, February 18, 1859, page 1


     GREAT NORTH.--The Yreka Union demands that the northern part of the state shall be cut off from California and united with Southern Oregon, to make a new state, which is to include all the territory west of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Mountains, between parallels 40 and 44 of north latitude.
San Joaquin Republican, February 26, 1859, page 1


    "WANTS" IN SOUTHERN OREGON.--We want a relinquishment of the Indian titles to the lands about Klamath Lakes; we want the hostile Indians dealt with in such a manner that emigrants will no longer fear to pass through their country; and we want the same government aid assured to our people that is given to the people of every other portion of our state.--Jacksonville Sentinel.
Steamer Bulletin, San Francisco, February 1, 1861, page 2


    The Yreka Journal says: "If the Democratic ticket, lately nominated in this county, should accidentally succeed, the Governor ought to appoint a military ruler to prevent the secession of Siskiyou from the state."
Oregonian, Portland, August 9, 1865, page 4


    OUR PART OF OREGON.--It is held by many, in other parts of the state, that anything belonging to Southern Oregon is contemptible, and they think of us only fit to use as a kind of tool, whereby certain ends can be accomplished. It may be that such persons will get cut.
    There are one or two items we propose to give that will show us not to be mere ciphers in the scale. In the matter of livestock driven from this valley, this summer, we are of opinion that we will make no contemptible footing up. We don't claim that all the stock mentioned in the subjoined list came from this county, but we claim a superiority of roads, which induced drovers to travel them.
    Over the John Day Wagon Road: Cattle, 1,200; sheep, 2,000, and one pack train of forty animals.
    The road up Emigrant Creek: Cattle, 1,500; sheep, 2,500.
    To Ft. Klamath: Cattle, 200.
    Over Siskiyou Wagon Road to Yreka: Hogs, 500.
    Over the trail from Althouse to Happy Camp, on Klamath River: Hogs, 200.
    Total amount of stock, 7,240.
    The sheep going up Emigrant Creek came from California, and were driven this way because of the superiority of our roads. The same can be said of drovers coming from Douglas County.--Sentinel.
    Don't be alarmed, Brother Dowell; "our part of Oregon" shall have a fair show, in the Statesman at least. We endeavor to gather such items as the above from "all parts" of the state. We received this item through a private letter, the Sentinel containing it not coming to hand.   
Oregon Statesman, Salem, November 13, 1865, page 1


    The people of Southern Oregon are agitating for a new state, to extend
from the Calapooia to the Scott Mountains, to include the Umpqua, Rogue and Klamath Valleys. The region is larger than most of the Atlantic States, and distinct in its industries and interests from either the Willamette or Sacramento valleys.
"Editorial Notes," Washington Gazette, Washington, Indiana, October 13, 1877, page 1


    Although Humboldt County and its people have heard but little relative to the present agitation in Northern California and Southern Oregon in favor of the creation of a new state, to be known as "Siskiyou," with Yreka as the capital, in which this county would be included, other parts of the affected territory are alive with the question. The general opinion seems to be that Humboldt would not be desirous of joining "Siskiyou," should such a state be created.
    The Valley Record of Ashland, Oregon, of recent date, has the following to say relative to the proposed state of "Siskiyou:"
    "The proposed new state of Siskiyou agitation continues to grow and gain strength in all parts of the affected territory, and prominent citizens in every locality heard from has expressed themselves willing to attend a conference of citizens of the proposed new state and arrange plans for the formal organization of the agitation. With that end in view the Jackson County Press Association at a meeting held in Medford recently, formally declared in favor of the new state and appointed a committee of three to arrange for a conference to be called at a later date in Shasta Springs, Yreka, or some other point in Northern California. The resolution directs the committee to open correspondence with citizens in every locality affected asking for the sending of representatives to this conference and also to get into communication with the citizens of Spokane, Wash., who wish to carve out the proposed new state of Lincoln out of Eastern Washington, Northeastern Oregon and the Panhandle of Idaho. Also with the citizens of the Los Angeles section and those who are agitating the matter of carving out the new state of South California. It is believed that the combined three organizations could get the attention of the Congress better than single-handed efforts. After further correspondence the committee of three appointed by the Jackson County Press Association will submit their report and a formal call setting the place and the time will be issued. It is expected to be held some time this month.
    "The agitation seems to meet with the approval of some of the most enterprising capitalists and financiers in several counties, and many have announced themselves as willing to contribute to the necessary expense of holding the conference for the purpose of formally launching the movement.
    "It is generally conceded that the territory affected constitutes a natural new state geographically and that its resources and its opportunities were abundant and ample for the future. The body of the territory lies in the watershed of three great streams, the Umpqua, the Rogue and the Klamath, all of which empty into the Pacific Ocean, while the Klamath is the only stream between the Columbia and Mexico that cuts both the mountain chains of the Pacific Coast. Geographically this makes a new state naturally, and with the network of railroads under construction all of these sections will be connected up with each other on a large scale commercially. Besides the vast resources in the interior two splendid harbors, Coos Bay and Humboldt Bay, besides lesser ones, give the state two splendid seaports.
    "The completion of the Panama Canal will place the Pacific Coast in close touch with the entire world, and the development that will ensue will come so rapidly that it will simply astonish everybody and without doubt break the records of modern times. The new state of Siskiyou will grow in strength rapidly with the march of time. Besides the genuine necessity of it, the feature of advertising the section is well worth striving for. It will be the means of calling attention strikingly to Northern California and Southern Oregon in a new and attractive way."
Humboldt Times, Eureka, California, January 13, 1910, page 1


    If this 1400 miles of Pacific Coast of the U.S.A. had not been carved into states by the hard-riding, straight-shooting and loud-declaiming of our pioneers, whose ambition was to always make their boundaries go as far as possible, we might now have four instead of three saltwater states here.
    Following this thought even further, we might now know of still a fifth state, comprising all of California south of the Tehachapi Mountains. There might even be an argument over whether the northern or southern half were entitled to the name of California.
    The other region entitled by economic circumstances to a statehood might be called the State of Siskiyou, comprising the Northern California and Southern Oregon counties.
    Have you ever heard of Siskiyou Island? It existed alone in the Pacific Ocean when the latter extended east of the submerged Cascades and Sierra Nevada mountains. But lately this island has been known as a mountain range from east to west between the Sierra and the sea. It is older land than anything else west of the Rockies. Our imaginary State of Siskiyou would closely follow the limits of this mountainous area, extending from the northern headwaters of the Sacramento River to the southern headwaters of the great Willamette. Let it include the Klamath and Rogue River basins with their wide valleys and timbered lake plateaus. It would take in Curry, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath and Lake counties, Trinity and Del Norte counties in California. Even southwestern Idaho and northern Nevada are tributary and might be included.
    This geological island, as it were, nearly defines the boundaries of an island in the economic affairs of the Pacific Coast. The people who live in this state call their country the Mid-Pacific Empire and are striving to overcome the handicap of being hemmed in by mountain barriers. This zone lies roughly half way between Portland and San Francisco and its business affairs are based upon those two market centers, just as Fresno depends upon both San Francisco and Los Angeles.
    Not only is transportation time on the way to market more of a handicap than it is in counties close to these big centers, but freight rates (except transcontinentally) are out of proportion.
    Despite this situation the population and business of the Mid-Pacific Empire is growing rapidly, and the spirit of these people will brook no obstacle. Like the early-day citrus fruit growers in Southern California who banded together to develop water and cities, and at last to break down the prohibitive freight rates to the east, these Southern Oregonians and Northern Californians are rapidly cementing into a united front.
    This sense of community interest has lately been crystallized by organization of the Northern California-Southern Oregon Development Association, with headquarters at Medford. C. E. Gates of this city is president. Vice-presidents are Thomas E. Peacock of Del Norte County, Irving E. Vining of Jackson County, Isaac Best of Josephine County, and C. R. Williams of Klamath County. The association has three directors from each county: one to represent the board of supervisors, one a city councilman from some city in the county and one member representing the chambers of commerce in the county. These directors have been hand-picked to completely represent every industry--farming, mining and lumbering.
    Every person in Oregon and California has become familiar during the last few years with the battle lines drawn up by the two great railroad systems which are fighting for domination of this Mid-Pacific Empire. The Great Northern-Northern Pacific-Western Pacific coalition want to reach San Francisco from the north, promising greater development to Southern Oregon and Northern California than has ever come to them before. Pitted against this effort is all the influence of the Southern Pacific, the only through road now serving this zone, and which maintains that its own facilities are sufficient to the need.
    People in these counties have hope that whichever way the war between these rail giants is settled, they will be better served than they are now. But they are not idly waiting. They are taking steps to build up a valuable independence.
    They have found an ace that will trump any railroad trick. This is the development of Crescent City's harbor into a deep-water port. The territory which it can serve is equal to the area of all the New England states. In 1920 the federal government started building a three-mile breakwater to make this a protected harbor. So far $1,100,000 has been spent in building 1½ miles of this. On April 23 the army engineers held a hearing on the matter in Crescent City for the purpose of drawing up final plans for deep-water development and shore construction. Their cost estimates are expected to be rushed to this congress in time to include the project in the next rivers and harbors appropriation. The plan which the engineers may select might call for anywhere from $3,000,000 to $16,000,000.
    One year ago a wide-grade modern highway was completed and opened to traffic between Crescent City and Grants Pass. Of these 87 miles only about 30 are mountainous. From Grants Pass it is 33 miles up the Rogue River Valley to this city, and then 77 miles inland to Klamath Falls, the center of present railroad strategy. Since last June these interior cities have been leaning increasingly upon truck-hauled goods brought by water to Crescent City. The saving which this meant is comparison to rail rates on goods shipped from San Francisco is shown in the following tables compiled at the time this truck movement commenced in earnest:

	1st class	2nd class	3rd class	4th class
	freight	freight	freight	freight
Railroad	$32.00	$27.20	$22.30	$19.30
via Crescent City	$20.00	$18.00	$16.00	$14.25
	$12.00	$  9.20	$  6.30	$  5.05

Railroad	$33.70	$28.60	$23.60	$20.20
via Crescent City	$20.00	$18.00	$16.00	$14.25
	$13.70	$10.60	$  7.60	$  5.95

    The railroads have since met some of these lower rates via water and truck but since the latter include pickup and delivery costs, they still are cheaper than rail rates. So this is the ace which the Mid-Pacific Empire holds.
    But this is only a beginning! So far there is very little outbound freight through Crescent City from the interior. The city of Grants Pass has bonded itself to build a railroad to Crescent City. Only 15 miles have been built, with 68 left to go. There is obviously too great a cost involved in the completion of this road for such a small city to stand by itself. Men go about whispering to one another now in Southern Oregon that within five years they will see one of the big rail lines complete this venture and connect the new deep-water port with the entire Rogue River Valley and with north and south outlets to transcontinental routes. This would give a flexibility in shopping and marketing that would be unexcelled by that in any Pacific Coast district.
    The Rogue River Valley fruit industry amounts to about 4,800 cars each year, mostly pears and apples. A large part of this crop already goes to export markets--but mostly through New York and eastern Canadian ports. About 10 percent leaves this country at Portland. If local rail rates were not so high and if more extensive steamship service were available at Portland, with its splendid shipside cold storage plants, more would find an exit there. The same applies if San Francisco were not so far away in terms of freight rates and had large enough shipside cold storage facilities. But presuming that these "ifs" are too great to overcome, these fruit growers are planning to build a large shipside cold storage plant at Crescent City as soon as that port is developed and a railroad reaches it. This more than anything else would stimulate export sales development and the whole fruit industry in the Rogue River country.
    It is true this dream is of the future. Yet it is not far off. Plans are afoot now to hold economic conferences--signal huddles for team play--for each industry. The first is the Mid-Pacific Empire Mineral Economic Conference to be held at Grants Pass on July 15. Then comes the Mid-Pacific Empire Agricultural Economic Conference at Medford in September, and the Mid-Pacific Empire Timber Economic Conference at Klamath Falls in October.
    Our mythical State of Siskiyou is using its brains to pry open the door to every natural advantage and asset it possesses. There is "Los Angeles aggressiveness" in the air. In fact one keeps bumping into transplanted Los Angeles settlers and invested Los Angeles capital wherever he wanders in this Mid-Pacific Empire. Where there's a will there's a way!
Medford Mail Tribune, June 8, 1930, page B7


    Daniel Moe Kenney was active in the effort to create a new state out of Southern Oregon, in 1854. The movement originated at Yreka, Cal., and was strongly championed by the editor of the Yreka Herald. At a meeting at Jacksonville on January 7, 1854, it was decided to hold a convention on January 25 for further discussion. Those who met drafted a memorial to Congress and to the Oregon and California legislatures. The new state was to include Northern California and Southern Oregon. United States Senator Joseph Lane wrote to friends in Southern Oregon that such a move would delay the admission of Oregon as a state, so the movement was dropped. Among those prominent in this agitation were T. McF. Patton, later ambassador to Japan and for many years a prominent book dealer at Salem; D. M. Kenney, L. F. Mosher, George Dart, C. S. Drew, John E. Ross, J. A. Lupton, Martin Angel, Richard Dugan, G. L. Snelling, A. McIntyre, William Burt, S. C. Graves, Anthony Little, C. Sims, S. Etlinger, Jesse Richardson and W. W. Fowler. There was also a very active group at Yreka, who hoped that Yreka should be the capital of the proposed new state.
Fred Lockley, "Impressions and Observations of the Journal Man," Oregon Journal, Portland, July 9, 1936, page 10