The Cottage Grove sentinel., March 18, 1910, Image 1

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VOLUME IV
COTTAGE GROVE, OREGON, FRIDAY. MARCH 18, 1910
COLONEL JAMES W. NESMITH
Biographical Sketch of Distinguished Statesman
in Honor of Whom New County is Named.
his firmness dr disturb his presence of
mind. Of vigorous mental power, hu­
mane disposition, and liberal opinions,
he was verily nature’s nobleman, in
his masterly eulogies upon those power­
ful opponents of his, Charles Summer
and General Lane, he revealed a depth
of feeling and broad-mindedness in his
treatment of their characters that
evoked national applause. Differing
entirely from their views on public
questions of the hour, Colonel Nesmith,
nevertheless, showed in the sympa­
thetic tone of those orations the eternal
chord of humanitarian regard which
neither war nor politics, could sever.
His was a patriotism without a blem­
ish, a statesmanship without guile, a
leadership of armies without fatal am-
bition^/a magistracy without severity,
yet inflexible in uprightness. He was
a citizen exemplary in the discharge
of every duty, a man who had modesty
without diffidence, courage without
rashness. In 1880 he died.
Colonel Nesmith held the following
civil offices:
Judge under the Provisional Govern­
ment 1845;46.
Member of Provisional Legislature
1845.
United States Marshal 1855-56.
Superintendent' of Indian Affairs
1855-56.
United States Senator 1861-67.
Member of Congress 1873-75.
When not occupying public office,
Co'onel Nesmith devoted his time to
farming. He owned a 2000 acre farm
in the Rickreall valley and was a suc­
cessful breeder of ail kinds of pure
bred stock.
Colonel Nesmith's widow survived
him until 1890. The following children,
all of whom are living, also survive
him: Mrs. Levi Ankery, Walla Walla,
Wash.; Mrs. H. L. McArthur, Salem;
Mrs. Wm. Molson, Montreal, Canada;
James B. Nesmith, Rickereal, and
William G. Nesmith, Blue River.
received at the office of the Isthmian
canal at Washington, D. C., not later
than 10:30 a. m., March 28, when the
bids will be publicly opened. The
specifications call for, long real yellow
pine or Douglas fir lumber and deliver­
ies may be made at either Colon, on
the Atlantic, or Port Ancon, on the
Pacific, so that mills on both coasts can
compete for the business.
ready to slaughter the first white man
they saw. For a year Mr. Nesmith re­
mained-at Fort Scott, Kan., occupied
with the carpenter’s plane and saw, and
in 1843 he joined the Applegate party.
In the long hours of that toilsome
ride over the praries, several members
of the train who belonged to the legal
fraternity started a mock trial. Nes­
mith took part in the exercise and dis­
played such an amazing amount of
genius in his interpretation of justice
that he was advised to join thè legal
profession. Arriving at Oregon City
he put his talents to a practical test,
and two years later served as a judge,
under the Provisional Government.
Shortly after, the attractions of'Miss
Pauline Coff of Polk county enchained
the attention of the . young advocate,
and the result was a happy wedding,
after which young Nesmith toók his
bride to live on the banks of the Rick­
reall, in Polk county, where they took
.up a donation land claim which is still
owned by the Nesmiths.
The murder of Whitman was a sad
blow to Nesmith, his intimate friend.
Among the first to strike for Cayous
country to avenge the foul deed was
the lawyer-pioneer. In 1855 the Rogue
River and Yakima wars called for the
full play of Nesmith’s military powers,
and the Jine services which he rendered
won for him the epaulets of a colonel.
Two years more elapsed, and the colo­
nel was placed in charge of Indian af­
fairs, a responsible work covering a
territory embracing Oregon, Washing­
ton and Idaho. Meanwhile Colonel
Nesmith had been digging gold in Cal­
ifornia, unearthing sufficient treasure
to pay back a debt of $1000 to Dr. Mc­
Laughlin, who had loaned him a herd
of cows at the time of his marriage in
1846, as a wedding compliment.
About this time the news that Fort
Sumpter had been fired upon startled
the country into wild alarm. The story
of how Colonel Nesmith remained
steadfast to the principles of the Union
is a matter of national history. In
September 1860 Nesmith had been elect­
ed to a seat in the United States Sen­
ate, and in that stormy period the one
thought of complete confidence which
the people reposed in the new senator
was based on the known fact that his
fidelity to the Union was unchangeable,
his faith incorruptible, and whatever
should come to pass that the fate of the
nation would be effected by his vote,
they knew he would sérve his country
well. He was sworn in as a Senator on
March 4, 1861. President Lincoln took
the colonel into his confidence, and the
varied military observations of the
hardy Oregonian, picked up in frontier
combats, were now employed in the
conduct of the Civil War.
At the close of the war the Colonel
became opposed to Republican recon­
struction and joined the Democratic
forces. His term as a senator expired
on March, 3, 1867. Colonel Nesmith
has a glorious character. Honest,
open-hearted and courageous, no dan­
ger nor unexpected event could shake
County Committee Makes Proposition
for State-Wide Competition.
The Nesmith County Committee, in
charge of the matter of creating a new
county from portions of Lane and Doug­
las, offers a prize of $25 in cash to the
persorijsuggesting in an article not ex­
ceeding 300 words the most logical rea­
sons “Why the Smaller Counties of
Oregon are-More Beneficial to the State
Than the Larger Ones.” Contestants
are not limited to any given locality, but
in each county shall be a subscriber to
atleast one of their county newspapers,
all articles on the subject to be deliver­
ed to'the editor of one of these news­
papers, who will forward them to a'
committee selected from outside of the
proposed Nesmith county for decision
as to the winner. No person within
the proposed new county shall enter
the contest, which will close June 30.
All articles on the subject must be in
the hands of the secretary on that date
and the award will be made on July 20'.
Any person desiring to compete for
this prize may receive literature per­
taining to the subject by addressing
Lew. A. Cates, Secretary, Cottage
Grove, Oregon.
Fishing Season Opens Soon.
The Griffin-Veatch Company has a
conspicuous announcement in The Sen­
tinel today calling attention to its line
of fishing tackle. The fishing season
opens on April 1, and now is the time
to prepare for the sport.
Railroad to Forest Reserve Tim­ Proposed Amendment to Char­
ter Would Retard Progress.
ber Now Under Way.
Mr. A. B. Wood and a party of sur­
veyors went to the end of the Oregon
& Southeastern on Tuesday for the pur­
pose of surveying the proposed line
into the forest reserve to be used in
connection with the extensive logging
operations soon to begin there. The
line will be three-quarters of a’ mile in
length, and will connect with the main
line at its terminus. As soon as the
survey is completed, which will proba­
bly be tomorrow, arrangements will be
made forthwith for construction work,
the completion of the road being neces­
sary before the sawmill can be erected.
It is. the purpose of the investors to be­
gin active operations as speedily as
possible that the 175,000,000 feet of .
timber recently purchased in the Na­
tional Forest Reserve may be taken
out within the specified time.
MAIL CONTRACTS AWARDED.
The proposed amendment to the city
charter, which limits the expenditures
of the city council to one thousand dol­
lars per annum, the full text of which
measure was given in The Sentinel last
week, comes before the people at a
special election called for the purpose,
next Friday, and will probably be de­
feated. • Public sentiment, so far as
The Sentinel can learn, is not in favor
of restricting the aldermanic body as
to the amount of monéy it shall ex­
pend annually or retarding the pro­
gress of the city, which would be the
inevitable result of the adoption of the
proposed measure. There is a well-
founded belief that the amendment is
calculated to balk the pavement of
Main street, as well as the construc­
tion of additional sewers—but whether
so intended or not it certainly would
have that effect. The people should
have sufficient confidence in the men
whom they elect to administer the af­
fairs of the municipality to give them
full and complete control of such af­
fairs. It is the duty of the electors to
select men for office who are trust­
worthy and capable, and if they fail to
perform this duty and there is incapa­
ble management the fault is with
the people. There is danger that the
advancement of the city will be very
materially retarded unless the pro­
posed amendment is snowed under, as
we firmly believe it will be.
Messrs. Martin ^nd Shortridge Get Jobs
With the Government.
The contract for carrying the mail
between Cottage Grove and Lorane, a
distance of twelve miles, has been
awarded to N. H. Martin of this city,
who will enter upon the contract July
J next. The contract price is $894 per
annum, one trip to be made each day
except Sundays. A. W. Clow has had
the contract.
On the Black Butte route the con­
tract has' been awarded to A. S.
Powell. The distance between 'this
BUYS MORE FRUIT LAND.
city and Black Butte is eighteen miles
and the contract calls for one trip per Bohmstedt Company Invests in Two
day.
‘
"
Thousand Acres.
EQUIPMENT PURCHASED.
A deal has been consummated by
which the A. C. Bohmstedt company
Light Company Places Order for Boiler has acquired nearly 2000 acres of fruit­
and Water Heater.
land east of Salem, in what is known
The Cottage Grove Light company as the Waldo Hills. Under the caption
has awarded a contract for a 300-horse­ of the Waldo Hill Orchard company,
power high pressure water tube boiler with a capitalization of $350,000, the
and a 350-horsepower water heater, land has been taken up quietly'by a
both of the latest types, delivery to be group of local and eastern men, and
made as quickly as possible. The out­ is to be set out with apples and eher-"
fit necessitates an expenditure of $7,- ries exclusively and the latest horticul­
500. The company will soon.commence tural methods applied to the tract. The
improving its plant in order to meet Bohmstedt company has recently plant­
the increasing demands made upon it. ed out about 1000 acres of fruit land
near Creswell, north of Cottage Grove.
Blow-Out Is Postponed.
The Knights of Pythias had contem­
Past Road Work Valueless.
plated initiating a large class of ap­
Concerning
the Eugene-Springfield
plicants into membership on Wednes­
county
road,
the
estimated cost of which
day night, but they had additional ap­
plicants in sight and postponed the “big is about $20,000, The Register says the
blow-off” until such time as these county surveyor started a complete surj
could be rounded up, Whenthe demon­ vey of the highway this week, and
stration takes place a team from Eu­ that much of thè rock has already been
crushed for a good -macadam road. The
gene will do the work.
Register adds : “So much of the work
Bids for Lumber Invited.
done on County roads has been practi­
Portland lumber manufacturersjare cally valuless, that the court is not go­
invited to sumit bids for furnishing 3,- ing to throw any money away on this
065,000 feet of timber for the Panama road. They are going to get a man
canal project. The invitation was re­ who has built much road of this kind in
ceived by the chamber of commerce. other country districts and then when
Sealed proposals, in triplicate, will be it is finished we will have something.”
centimeters
NUMBER 25
DR. KIME NAMED FOR MAYOR
Nominating Convention Select? Municipal Tick­
et Without Opposition.—The Aidermen.
OFFERS CASH PRIZE.
SURVEYIMMADE SHOULD NOT PREVAIL
James Willis Nesmith, a man honor­
ed for his upright'character, and rever-
' ed as a citizen of loyal integrity, his
name will shine in the firmament of il­
lustrious Oregonians, a true beacon
light of progress, illumihating the so-
eial.gtmosphere and lighting up the
way fcr succeeding generations. Colo­
nel Nesmith was indebted for his sturdy
prowess to the Scotch-Irish blood which
coursed through his veins, kindling
within him those incentives to deeds of
manliness which have characterized the
race since, time immemorial. Gifted
with this nature, he was spurred on to
do and dare, and the triumphant re­
wards which crowned his efforts at last
were a fitting tribute to his lifelong
devotion to hard, unceasing toil and un­
swerving principles.
More than a hundred years before
this country was fairly'launched on its
career as a nation among the independ­
ent governments of the world, the „an­
cestors of Colonel Nesmith decided to
journey from Ireland to the newly dis­
covered land in the West. They came
to America, and later history fixes the
date of 1814 as the year of William
Morrison Nesmith’s marriage to Miss
Harriet Willis, the daughter of a man
who owned the land on which Eliza­
bethtown stood. The coup e went to
Maine to live. In 1820 while visiting
New Brunswick, their son, James
Willis, the subject of this sketch, was
born. Dark clouds obscured the boy’s
early history. His mother was drown­
ed, and a few years later his father
lost his all in a destructive fire. The
devouring flames forced the family to
flee to a marsh for safety, where the
victims crouched low while the city and
forest about them became a roaring
furnace. The exposure killed James’
stepmother, and he was compelled to
seek the friendly care of neighbors.
His father was ruined irretrievably.
Despite this desolate beginning,
young Nesmith’s life grew brighter in
after days. Winning his own way from
boyhood, he became accustomed to the
hard “knocks” of the world.and strug­
gled on with his sunny disposition un­
impaired. He set out for the Western
Reserve, reaching the home of his
cousin, Joseph C. Wilson, near ..Cincin­
nati, Ohio. The two attended school
together, and from grave sorrow the
New England^ boy gradually became
associated with happier times. The
great tidal wave to the Pacific slope
drew young Nesmith along in its allur­
ing course.
He was anxious to "see the country,
and no longer felt any misgivings about
leaving his Eastern home, for his last
dearest friend; his father, had just
died and left him alone to fight his bat­
tle of life. Mounting a horse, he start­
ed off to meet Dr. White’s train at In­
dependence and accompany him to Ore­
gon, but bad news reached his ear that,
restrained him. The Pawnees were
hostile, and it would have been sheer
madness to risk an encounter alone on
the plains with the blood thirsty sav­
ages who crouched in every shadow,
nttttel «' “
The nominating mass meeting at the of Oregon. If elected I assure you,
Armory last Monday evening did its gentlemen, that I will exert myself in
work well. Dr. A. W. Kime was nom­ behalf of the people of the city.”
inated for mayor; C. H. VanDenburg Cheers.
for recorder and Herbert Eakin for
Mr. F. D. Wheeler placed the name
treasurer.
of C. H. VanDenburg before the con-,
Mayor Job called the meeting to or­ vention for city recorder, and there be-!
der at the appointed hour, and after ing no further nominations Mr. Rosen-
stating its object asked for a perman­ burg moved that the nominations be
ent chairman. Mr. Burkholder nomin­ declared closed and Mr. VanDenburg
ated Dr. Job, but he declined, and Mr. be made the unanimous choice of the
Jordan placed in nomination the name convention for recorder, which was
of Mr. Burkholder, who was elect­ done. Mr. VanDenburg being called
ed. Lew A. Cates was made secretary, for, thanked the meeting-for the com­
and J. C. Johnson and H. Venske tell­ pliment. He said that he had endeav­
ers. The chairman called for nomina­ ored to faithfully discharge the duties
tions for the mayoralty, that being the incumbent upon him in the past, and
would continue to do so if elected.
first business before the convention.
For treasurer Mr. Hoxie named Geo.
Fred J. Bartels nominated Dr. Kime,
and for a time it looked as though his Hall and George McQueen placed the
would be the only name before the name of Herbert Eakin before the
meeting. Mr. J. I. Jones took the floor convention. The result of the ballot ■
and moved»; that the nominations be gave Mr. Eakin 102 votes and Mr. Hall
closed and Dr. Kime be declared the 82. Mr. Eakin was called for, but the •
unanimous nominee for mayor, but be­ gentleman was hot present.
fore the motion had a second James H.
ALDERMEN NOMINATED.
McFarland placed Mr. John S. Medley
Following
the city convention, the
in nomination. There being no further
nominations the convention proceeded ward caucuses were held in the same
to ballot, the result being 121 votes for room, the voters being bunched in differ­
the former and 27 for the latter. Mr. ent parts of the house. Geo. Atkinson
Jones moved that inasmuch as the nom­ was elected chariman of the first ward,
ination of Mr. Medley was doing him E. K. Barnes of the second ward, and
an injustice, he not being an aspirant H. O. Thompson of the third ward.
to the office, the choice of Dr. Kime The only contest was in the first ward
for mayor be made unanimous, and the where Winters Wallace won out over
E. K. Barrett for aldermanic honors.
motion prevailed amid cheers.
W. F. Mart was nominated for aider­
ADDRESSES CONVENTION.
man in the second, and T. C. Wheeler
Dr. Kime was called for and he ad­ for aiderman in, the third ward, after
dressed the convention briefly. Among which the meeting adjourned.
other things said, he expressed his
THE NOMINEES.
gratitude for the confidence repbsed in
The nominees are well-known citi­
him by the people assembled in conven­
tion to name municipal officers, and if zens, and consequently need no intro­
elected he pledged himself to fill the duction or word of commendation from
place to the best of his ability, giving The Sentinel. Dr. Kime, as stated in
every citizen a square deal. “If I go his address of acceptance, is favorable
into the office,” he said, “it will be to public improvements and is desirous
without any strings. I shall favor. of advancing the interest of the munic­
public improvements and'progression, ipality 'along—this' line, "and in this ef­
but not without a judicious expendi­ fort will have the hearty support and
ture of the people’s money. If we co-operation of the aidermen named, as
would build up the town we must nec­ well as that of the hold-overs. There
essarily have streets and sidewalks, is a demand for betterments, and this
and I am in favor of purchasing-mater­ is fully realized by the nominees, all of
ial and implements to make them with. whom pledge themselves to this end,
Cheers. There is no reasom why Cot­ not forgetting that judicious and econ­
tage Grove should not be one of the omical methods must be pursued in
very best little cities in the entire state their actions.
HEAVY TRAVEL IN PROSPECT.
THE ST. ANTHONY HERE.
Railroad Man Says Many Are Coming
to the Coast Country.
That the volume of tourist travel to
the Pacific Coast this year will equal
that attracted by the Alaska-Yukon-
Pacific exhibition last year, was the
forecast given yesterday by C. E. Mc­
Pherson, general passenger agent of
the Canadian Pacific Railway, whois
in Portland on a tour of inspection.
“The Pacific Coast as an attraction
for tourists is only in its infancy,” said
Mr. McPherson, “and there is reason
to believe that the Western travel will
increase year by year for a long time
to come.
“All the Northwest Coast will be
visited by the great bulk of the year’s
tourist travel. Persons who come out
West over the northern lines will swing
down the coast and go home by a more
southern route; and those who come
out by a southern route will return by
a northern road. Last yekr the expo­
sition attracted many tourists and all
these people went home and advertised
,the West so that as many will come out
this year as did last summer.
Catholic Services Are Being Held Here
by Father McDonald.
The Chapel Car St. Anthony, touring ‘
the country in the interest of the Cath­
olic Church Extension Society of the
United States, has been in this city
this week in charge of Father Mc­
Donald, accompanied by George C.
Hennessey, superintendent of Chape[
cars, of which there are several. The
car has, besides[a small reception room
and kitchen, a chapel with, a seating
capacity for fifty persons. The pltar is
in one end of the room, and is fully
equipped. There is an organ for use
during the services.
Services have been held in the car
each morning, and w in the evening at
the Catholic church, where the at­
tendance has been quite large. The
Fr. McDonald is an excellent speaker,
and has created considerable interest
among the people of that religious
faith.
JEFF. WILL VISIT US.
TAXPAYERS, HEED THIS.
Partially Satisfied Notes and Mort­
gages Should Be Reported.
Taxpayers holding notes or mort­
gages which are on record that have
been partly or wholly satisfied, should
give due notice to the assessor in whose
territory they reside, thereby saving
all parties concerned considerable an­
noyance. Where these, notes or mort­
gages have been partly or wholly satis­
fied and have not been cancelled on the
records of the county recorder, there is
the possibility of the numerous errors
which arise in such cases.
After He Whips His Mad Pugilist Will
Take An Outing.
Jim Jeffries will probably visit Cot­
tage Grove the coming fall. J. H.
Baker has received a letter from H.
W. Lewis of Los Angeles, whose camp­
ing party he and T. R. Parker accom­
panied last season, in which Mr. Lewis
says that Jeffries will join the party
this season, provided he whips the ne­
DAMAGES ARE AWARDED.
gro, adding that if he suffers defeat he
will go to Africa instead. The pugilist
Jury Givfes Hall and Foster Verdict
is a particular friend of Mr. Lewis, and
Against O. & S. E.
he is confident that he will whip the
The
jury
in the case of F. H. Hall
black.
vs. the Oregon & Southeastern Railway
A Pleasant Surprise.
Co., to recover $25,000 damages, re­
A happy surprise party was given by turned a verdict in favor of the plain­
Miss Clara Bleuer at her parents’ home tiff for $6500. The jury/deliberated for
last Sunday evening in honor of her several hours before being able to agree
mother, Mrs. Dan Bleuer, whose forty­ on a verdict. The second case against
fourth birthday it was. There were the same railroad c.ompany was called
thirty guests present,' including the immediately after the first case went
German Verein society. A musical to the jury. W. B. Foster was the
program was rendered, refreshments plaintiff in this case. The jury return­
served and a happy evening was spent ed a verdiot in favor of the plaintiff
by all present.
* for $3000 damages«