Page 4
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Valley historian Harold Teague has many tales to tell from 87 years experience
His favorite U.S. Forest Service donkey, ‘Monique,’ who saved his life, figures in a number of colorful recollections
By LINDA COREY-
WOODWARD
For IVN
As a child, rural Cave
Junction resident Harold
Teague listened to the stories
of his great-great grand-
mother, Malvina, about the
Applegate Trail and how she
got to Oregon by wagon train,
led by her father, Hiram Lee.
She told how the train
stopped at Immigrant Lake
(near modern-day Ashland)
and was surrounded by Indi-
ans, including their chief.
Hiram Lee took out his
corn cob pipe and lit it, show-
ing the chief that he wanted to
smoke with him. The chief
got out his own pipe, and they
sat together. Lee gave the
chief some tobacco, and they
smoked together, making
peace after a while. In part-
ing, Teague’s relative gave
the chief his favorite corn cob
pipe, and the chief gave him
his soapstone pipe, which
Teague has in his possession.
Teague (everyone calls
him Harold), was born in
1920 in Prescott, Ariz., one of
six children of migrant work-
ers, Claude Teague and
Wilda Teague.
Said Harold, “We trav-
eled up and down the West
Coast in an old Ford, working
fruit harvests. In Oregon, we
harvested mushrooms, ferns,
hops, and gladiola bulbs.
Hops and gladiolas were big
industries then.”
They moved to Eagle
Point in 1932. His great-great
grandmother lived with his
family. As a young teen-ager,
Harold’s job was to look after
Granny Malvina, who taught
him to cook and bake cakes.
He enjoyed it and went to
baking school. As a result, he
was always the cook wher-
ever he went in life. Malvina
knew a lot of Oregon history
and filled his head with sto-
ries of the wagon trains and
early Oregon pioneers.
His father later moved
back to Arizona. Wilda
Teague and her six children
moved to Grants Pass in the
1930s. His parents eventually
divorced. Wilda became a
good businesswoman and
owned several Grants Pass
hotels and other property. She
owned a dairy ranch near
Medford, and her parents
moved from Florence, Ore. to
run the dairy.
Meanwhile, young Har-
old itched to see the country.
“I began hitch-hiking
and hopping freight trains
around the country,” he re-
lated. “It was easy to do in the
1930s,” he recalled.
As an adult, he moved to
Illinois Valley, which he loved
for its mountains, rivers and
forests. He lived in Kerby,
Waldo, and in the mountains,
where he did some gold and
copper mining.
Harold joined the U.S.
Navy in 1942 as a cook and
was wounded 90 days later at
Pearl Harbor. He was dis-
charged due to his wounds.
He then joined the Merchant
Marines and went around the
world three times. He loved
to travel and especially loved
wilderness areas. One of his
favorite places was Alaska.
“It was home,” he said,
meaning that it was part of
the United States and a wil-
derness.
In 1946, Harold returned
to Illinois Valley and became
a “mule skinner” or mule
train driver. He worked for
the U.S. Forest Service, tak-
ing mule trains from Grants
Pass to Crater Lake. He
hauled supplies to road-
building crews near Crater
Lake and to 10 fire lookout
towers on mountains scat-
tered around Southwestern
Oregon. He loved the life of a
mule-skinner, traveling
through the Oregon moun-
tains.
Occasionally, he also
hauled loads from Coos Bay
to Portland or headed south-
west from Waldo to Brook-
ings or Crescent City. He
took his mule train where
trucks could not go. He usu-
ally had 12 mules and three
horses in a train, hauling a
tremendous amount of sup-
plies and goods to miners,
work crews and forest fire
lookouts.
He had a favorite donkey
named “Monique” in the
1950s. She was so strong
from pulling loads on moun-
tain trails that she could carry
more than her share of cargo.
She would also alert Harold
to the presence of cougars or
bears better than any dog,
according to Harold.
“She saved my life one
time,” stated Harold, “She
started whistling, snorting and
stamping and scared off a
bear.”
“Monique” was a sweet-
natured, friendly donkey; his
favorite traveling companion
for 15 years. After he quit
mule-skinning, she helped
him work with troubled youth.
Harold also married and
(Continued on page 5)
Spiritual & Character Development through Service
‘Berle’ McTimmonds
A service will be held
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008 at 2
p.m. for Leland “Berle”
McTimmonds, who died on
Monday, Jan. 28, 2008.
The service will be held at
the former Grants Pass Men-
nonite Church, now New Hope
Bible Church. Hull & Hull
Funeral Directors is in charge
of arrangements.
Donald A. Des Pois
Donald August Des Pois,
75, of Cave Junction, died
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008 at his
home. Arrangements are pend-
ing with Illinois Valley Funeral
Directors.
Phyllis Marilyn Blair
Phyllis Marilyn Blair, 88,
of Cave Junction, died Satur-
day, Feb. 9, 2008 at her home.
No service will be held. Grants
Pass Funeral Alternatives is in
charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Blair was born July 5,
1919 in Fort Worth, Texas to
Oscar & Corinne (Berry)
Weatherford. Mrs. Blair
worked as a key punch operator
at the Riverside County Court-
house for 25 years.
She married Douglas W.
“Doug” Blair on Aug. 8, 1996
in Grants Pass. He died in
2006. She was a member of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
She is survived by two
Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church
Lenten midweek studies
are being held Wednesdays
beginning at 7 p.m.
Following the worship
service Sunday, Feb. 24, there
will be a short memorial service
for Vi Skurk.
* * *
The Bible tells of Nicode-
mus who went secretly to see
Jesus, wanting to know if he
was the true Messiah. He came
away convinced that God’s love
for the world is embodied in
Jesus.
During this time of Lent,
we too can confirm God’s grace
and love. How else could he
send his only begotten son to
live among us and then be cru-
cified to save mankind?
Senior Nutrition Menu
Sponsored by
Meals are served in the
CJ County Bldg.
592-2126, 955-8839
FRIDAY, FEB. 22
PORK PATTY WITH GRAVY
Whipped potatoes, succotash,
whole wheat bread, mocha nut
cookie
MONDAY, FEB. 25
CHICKEN POT PIE OVER
BISCUIT
Scandinavian blend
vegetables, snogold salad,
chocolate chip bar
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27
BAKED HAM WITH
PINEAPPLE SAUCE
Candied yams, Oregon bean
medley, potato wheat bread,
birthday cake
sons, Robert Hartline, of Cave
Junction, and Donald Hartline,
of Grants Pass; three step-
daughters, Linda L. Young, of
Grants Pass, Sandra Michaud,
of Savannah, Texas, and J.B.
Summerfield, of Oxnard,
Calif.; a sister, Bonnie Thomp-
son, of El Paso, Texas; two
grandchildren; two great-
grandchildren; nine step-
grandchildren; and 12 step-
great-grandchildren.
Vernon E. Johnson
Vernon Eugene Johnson,
61, a former resident of Cave
Junction, died on Monday,
Feb. 11, 2008, in Gresham,
Ore., after a long illness.
A service was held at
Spencer, Libby & Powell Fu-
neral home in The Dalles on
Tuesday, Feb. 19.
Mr. Johnson was born
to Vernon & Marjorie Johnson
on Jan. 17, 1947 in Madera,
Calif. Following his graduation
in 1965 from Illinois Valley
High School in Cave Junction,
he enlisted with the U.S. Ma-
rine Corps and proudly served
four years.
He married Alice (Wolfe)
Johnson in 1968 and began
work with the Union Pacific
Railroad in 1971. He was an
enthusiastic fisherman, hunter
and outdoorsman.
He is survived by five
children, Victor Johnson, of
The Dalles, Theresa (Johnson)
Babcock and Abe Johnson,
both of Encinitas, Calif.; Sheri
Johnson, of Bellevue, Wash.,
and Kim Guyette, of Newport,
Ore.; his step-mother, Barbara
Johnson, of Cave Junction; and
seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death
by his mother and father.
Dolores ‘Boots’ Buell
Former Cave Junction
resident, Dolores “Boots”
Buell, 73, of Sutherlin, died
Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 at
Mercy Medical Center in
Roseburg.
A graveside service was
held Saturday, Feb. 16 at Deer
Creek Cemetery with Pastor
Monty Pope, of Selma Baptist
Church, officiating. Hull &
Hull Funeral Directors was in
charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be
made to the family at
since1928hull.com.
Mrs. Buell was born on
Nov. 1, 1934 in Wilkes-Barre,
Pa. She lived in Cave Junction
before moving to Sutherlin
eight years ago. She enjoyed
being a homemaker all her life.
Surviving are her husband,
Leslie James Buell II, of
Winston; two daughters, Loree
Join hundreds of middle school kids across the globe who have
discovered the joy of service projects. From Africa to Malaysia
youth are learning the value and joy of service to their commu-
nity.
Lawson, of Sutherlin, and
Rosie Cook, of Scottsdale,
Ariz.; a son, Leslie James Buell
III of Fort Jones, Calif.; four
grandchildren; and one great-
grandchild.
She was preceded in death
by two children and one grand-
child.
Prayers (all religions honored)
Stories
Training
Service
Recreation
Refreshments
Beginning February 28 and continuing each Thursday at Lorna
Byrne, sixth-grade students will have the opportunity to partici-
pate in a new program designed to build character and skills
through service to the community.
Ruth C. Amela
Ruth Catherine Amela, 88,
of Cave Junction, died Thurs-
day, Feb. 14, 2008 at her home.
Arrangements are pending at
Illinois Valley Funeral Direc-
tors.
For more information contact: Bobette Heern 592-5234
Please call if you have a service project!
NOTICE TO ALL I. V. PASTORS
or their representative
On Friday, Feb. 22 a meeting is being held at
Wild River Pizza from 11:45 to 12:55 to explain the
role Churches can play in helping
Josephine County to become the
MOST DRUG-FREE,
ALCOHOL “INHIBITED” FREE COUNTY IN
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Our government leadership
(you have all been informed in writing)
is ready and waiting for the citizens group
to form itself and come forward.
Come join me - Best part is the Lunch is Free!
David Lommel (citizen of Josephine County)
479-7011 or cell 761-0425
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
OF SELMA
18285 Redwood Hwy.
P.O. Box 279, Selma, OR 97538
597-4169
Pastor Monty Pope
Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.
Worship - 11 a.m.
Sunday evening: 7 p.m.
Wednesday Bible Study
7 p.m.
* * *
BRIDGEVIEW
COMMUNITY CHURCH
P.O. Box 645
5181 Holland Loop
592-3923
“BCC invites you to experience
God’s love in music, prayer
and His Word!”
Non-Denominational
Pastor Frank Salerni
* Sunday Morning Worship
10:30 a.m.
* Children’s Church-10:30 a.m.
* Bible Study
Wednesday 7 p.m.
* Youth Group
Wednesday 7 p.m.
* Men’s Prayer breakfast
1st & 3rd Saturday 8 a.m.
* * *
ST. MATTHIAS
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
25904 N. Redwood Hwy.
Sunday Services:
1st three Sundays 11 a.m.
Fourth Sunday 5 p.m.
592-2006
* * *
BAHA’I FAITH
Phone 592-5234
FOUNTAIN OF LIFE
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
451 S. Junction Ave.
592-3956
Pastor Mark McLean
Sunday School - 10 a.m.
Morning Worship - 11 a.m.
Evening Worship - 6 p.m.
Wednesday - 7 p.m.
Adult Bible Study
* * *
ST. PATRICK OF THE FOREST
CATHOLIC CHURCH
407 W. River St., CJ
592-3658
Father Gregory Moys, Pastor
Mass - Saturday 5:30 p.m.
No Sunday Mass
Holy Days TBA
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday - 4:30 to 5 p.m.
* * *
COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH
113 S. Caves Ave., CJ
Evangelical &
Non-Denominational
Sunday School 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m.
Evening Service - 6 p.m.
Jr. Church, Infant & Toddler
Nursery Provided
Youth Awana - K to 6th grade
Wednesday - 6:15 to 8 p.m.
Pastor Dave Gordon
Community Christian Academy
Preschool to 12th grade
SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST CHURCH
265 S. Old Stage Rd.
Sabbath School - 9:30 a.m. Sat.
Church Service
11 a.m. Sat.
Prayer & Praise
7 p.m. Tues.
Pastor Verne Hyland
Church 592-3218
Everyone Welcome
Madrone Adventist School
592-3330
Sr. Teacher: Mrs. Amy
Whitchurch
592-6604
* * *
ILLINOIS VALLEY
PRAISE CENTER
28569 Redwood Hwy.
Cave Junction
Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m.
Prayer Meeting - 6 p.m.
Thursday evening - 7 p.m.
Home Bible Study/Youth
Group
Non-Denominational
Bible Teaching Church
Pastor Doug Wilson
592-4872
* * *
GOOD SHEPHERD
LUTHERAN CHURCH
East River Street
& Lewis Court
Pastor Don Torala
Sunday School - 9:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship - 10 a.m.
Tuesday Youth group - 6 p.m.
Church Phone: 592-2290
www.goodshepherdlutheraniv.org
FIRST LOVE
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
139 Caves Ave.
592-4775
Worship Schedule
Sunday Adult Bible Study
10 a.m.
Sunday Praise & Worship
10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Children’s Sunday School
11:15 a.m.
Wed. Service 7 p.m. Fall-Winter
Thurs. “First Love Kitchen”
11:30 a.m.
Sat. “Free Bread” 2 p.m.
Phone for info on
“Bible College Classes”
Pastors:
Bob & Virginia Kurko
* * *
ILLINOIS VALLEY
BAPTIST CHURCH
2110 Caves Hwy.
Sunday School- 9:30 to 10:15
Sunday Worship -
10:30 to 11:30
Bible Study - Tuesday
12:30 p.m.
Refreshments after service
A Southern Baptist Ministry
Phone: 592-6149
* * *
ILLINOIS VALLEY
PENTECOSTALS
Bible Study & Fellowship
987 ½ Caves Hwy.
2:30 p.m. Sunday
592-4716
Individual Bible Studies
available
Home of the Acts 2:38
Experience
Pastor Wendell Owens
THE CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS
207 Junction Ave., CJ
Sacrament Meet - 9 a.m.
Sunday School - 10:20 a.m.
Priesthood, Relief Soc. -
11:10 a.m.
Bishop John A. “Jack” Brown
1st Counselor Bob Knott
2nd Counselor Dan Fiske
* * *
IMMANUEL UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH
200 Watkins Ph. 592-3876
Pastor Charles Chase
Sunday School - 9:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship - 9:15 a.m.
Child-care for small children
Web Page:
http://UMCImmanuel.org
* * *
TAKILMA BIBLE CHURCH
10300 Takilma Road
Pastor Dan Robinson
Bible Study/Prayer Time
9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship
11 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study
7 p.m.
* * *
VALLEY EVANGELICAL
FREE CHURCH
498 Laurel Road
P.O. Box 1248
Pastor Les Knapp
Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.
Worship Service - 11 a.m.
evfree@frontiernet.net
592-6160