Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Page A-7
Cave Junction is not now first class
Cave Junction
By Elwood Hussey
April 7, 1960 Bulletin
Publisher’s Note: This is the
seventh and final in a series of articles
by Elwood Hussey, First Mayor and
“Father” of Cave Junction. The Illinois
Valley News feels honored to present
these articles about Illinois Valley by
Mr. Hussey which we believe to be
invaluable from a historic standpoint.
The following is an interesting,
and authentic account of the origin of
the name Cave Junction. Although
Mr. Hussey’s account is written with
restraint the situation at the time
was explosive. The people of Cave
City have always been proud of
their town for they literally carved
it out of the wilderness and to have
someone else arbitrarily change the
name was a matter of grave concern.
During the many years of my
travels before I located in the Illinois
Valley I visited cities in nearly every
state of the Union and I found that
the names of cities were generally
suggested by something of major
importance that happened at that
particular place or some freak of
nature that existed in the locality. I
recall discussing this fact with the
engineer who surveyed the townsite
for me and he suggested Cave City; as
a result I platted the townsite as Cave
City and it was recorded as Cave City.
Highway Signed Cave City
The State of California Highway
Commission had six signs between
Crescent City and Cave City giving
mileage TO CAVE CITY. Also the
State of Oregon stamped all guest
stickers that went on the windshields
of tourist cars that registered here
as CAVE CITY. How did the town
acquire the name it now has? This
is the question I have been asked
many times and I have decided
to answer the question publicly.
Need for Post Office
From the beginning our town
continued to grow, even the big fire
that took most of our business section
did not stop it and a Post Office
was badly needed. Most business
had to close and go to Kerby for
their mail. We called this fact to the
attention of the Postal Department
several times and got no satisfaction.
I recall that I discussed this fact
with a Grants Pass attorney who at
that time happened to be chairman of
the Republican Central Committee
for Josephine County and I was
surprised when he called me one day
and told me to get my gang together
and be at his office at 1:00 p.m. the
next day; he would have the Post
Office Inspector there and we could
talk to him. I followed his instructions
and I recall there were five of us:
George Martin, Loyd Lewis, Art
Drews and myself; I can’t remember
just now who the other man was.
We were introduced to the
Inspector and after we had presented
the several reasons why we should
have a Post Office he (and I think his
name was Morse) said that if he did
give us a Post Office we could not call
it Cave City. At that time over half the
mail we received was addressed to
Cave City. Following the Inspector’s
remark Mr. Martin informed him that
if we could not name our town that
he should keep his * * * Post Office.
This concluded the meeting and I
recall that I felt pretty blue about it.
P.O. Dept. Changes Name
a Post Office but it would be called
Cave Junction. I recall that we were so
happy that I did not do anything about
the name until later, when I decided to
write my friend, Senator Fred Steiwer.
In a short while I got his reply that he
found the name Cave Junction was
suggested by our State Senator James
T. Chinnock and George Sabin,
Manger of Oregon Caves Resort.
The Cave Junction Post Office
is now a second class Post Office.
I recall some years ago when the
Courier was urging their patrons
to buy stamps and money orders of
the Grants Pass Post Office to bring
it up for first class so they could get
a Federal Building. I understand the
amount of business required of a Post
Office has been raised considerably
and this is the only reason Cave
Junction is not now first class.
However, in less than 30 days we
were informed that we were to have
A short history of Ruby Jewel Brewer’s first 100 years
By Ray Brewer, the youngest son
Mom (Jewel) was born to Henry and Lula Lit-
tle in Francis, Oklahoma on February 27, 1911.
Her family moved so much and to such remote
places that having schools was hit and miss,
consequently she was not able to get a com-
plete formal education. She was married quite
young on January 30, 1928 in Hobart, Oklaho-
ma to John Brewer. Due to
the Depression and the dust
bowl the whole Brewer clan
(which included Simpsons
and Plumlees) went on the
road doing any kind of work
they could get. Many times
food was scarce or non-exis-
tent. At this time there were
three children (Harold, Ken-
neth and baby Annabelle).
In 1936 the clan ended
up in Selma, Oregon and
Mom refused to go on the
road anymore because she
wanted her children to get
the education she was de-
nied. So the whole Brewer
clan settled in Selma. Dad
eventually found work in
the sawmill as a log scaler
and pond monkey. The last
three children were born
in Selma. Earl was born in
what was called the Hud-
son house. It was located
between Deer Creek and
Eight Dollar Mountain close to the Warren
Ranch. Shirley Mae and I were born in a log
house about 1/4th mile down the Illinois River
Road from the Selma store. The folks bought
160 acres of tax title land for $2 per acre. It
was located about 1 mile from the Deer Creek
Ranch and had no power or running water and a
very primitive access road. On April 1, 1944 we
moved onto the land into a partially complete
house. You could not legally get lumber during
WW II. Electricity was not put in until 1959.
There were no neighbors. We loved it. It was
the first property that the folks had ever owned.
Mom loved to read and would read to us
when we were young, instilling in us the love
of learning and the drive to succeed. Thus we
children managed to get the educations denied
Mom. Some of us have college degrees. All
four boys are U.S. Navy veterans. Harold and
Earl are retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty
Officers and both went on to subsequent careers
in Westinghouse Nuclear programs. Kenneth
retired as the Pacific Power Manager in Grants
Pass. I retired as an Electrical Engineer/Man-
ager (radar) with the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration. Annabelle retired from the FAA and
Shirley Mae retired from the Oregon DOT.
Mom started to work as a cook at the
Kerby Elementary school in the early 1950s
and was there until she went to work for
the USFS Smoke Jumper Base as an assis-
tant cook. She retired from there as the head
cook. She put in a few stints as a cook for
some Job Core Facilities. One of my earliest
memories of working with Mom was pick-
ing hops in Grants Pass shortly after WW II.
Mom was a proficient seamstress. She wore
out a treadle sewing machine and converted it
to electric before finally getting a modern ma-
chine, which she still uses. She made most of
her and the girl’s clothes as well as some of the
boy’s shirts. She even made a sports jacket for
dad . During the Depression she helped make
mattresses at the Deer Creek Grange Hall. It
was some kind of government program. Mom
has been quilting quilts sine she was a little
girl. She is currently working on one for her
step-grandchildren’s wedding. She has made
so many quilts over the years that I could not
even guess at the number. She will probably
not start any more as her eyesight is failing.
(She still reads though.) Her hearing is not
so hot either but her mine is as sharp as ever.
When Dad died in 1980 Mom moved on to
Grants Pass as it was too isolated in the woods
to live by herself. In 2003 she went in to assisted
living at Spring Village and shortly thereafter
voluntarily gave up driving when she was 93.
She didn’t learn to drive until about 1953 when
Earl taught her. As an aside, when she was a
girl she rode her brother’s motorcycle and later
rode Kenneth’s Harley. She left Spring Village
to live at Harold’s place over on the Oregon
Coast for about three years. But as the years be-
gan to take their toll she moved back to Grants
Pass into Redwood Terrace Assisted Living.
Mom has six children (Kenneth is de-
ceased), 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grand-
children and 10 great great-grandchildren.
On February 27 at 2 p.m. we will be cel-
ebrating Mom’s 100th birthday at Redwood
Terrace Assisted Living in Grants Pass.
There will be family and friends coming
from the east coast and points in between.
We invite anyone who knew Mom here in the
valley or close by to come and celebrate with us.
CJ anomaly tree can be saved, City council
discusses
researchers say
A big, ancient tree on Boundary Ave.
has generated quite a stir lately. Property
owner Don Hall arranged to have it cut
down after insurance concerns were raised
and complaints about its safety came in
from apartment owner Mark Kellenbeck.
But the tree cutting was ultimately put
on hold after Hall decided to have more tests
done, hoping for a thorough examination
from scientists outside of the Illinois Valley.
On Friday, Feb. 11, a botanist, an
arborist, a forester and other experts
concluded that the tree’s unusual shape
is in part caused by a genetic mutation,
while the tree is actually quite healthy
and could live another 200 years.
“To find out if a tree is healthy,
look up into the crown and see how
much blue sky you can see,” said
Frank Callahan, a botanist from near
Central Point. “There’s about 90 percent
coverage. This is a very healthy tree.”
Others pointed out that the tree
was still growing fast for its age,
estimated to be between 350 and 400
years old. They also said that instead
of cutting the tree down or putting up
expensive metal supports, cables could
be used to secure some of the branches.
“This tree can be saved, there’s
no doubt about that,” Callahan said.
Consulting arborist Bill Harrington
from the city of Medford also examined
the tree, while some climbed up into
the foliage to view the tree up close.
Callahan said cables could
expand and contract with the tree,
allowing
movement
while
still
providing stability. Even without the
cables, arborists suggested the tree
would be safe for a number of years.
Written reports are expected to
be finished soon to help Hall decide
what to do with the Douglas fir. Hall
originally said he wanted to preserve
the tree, but not at the expense of safety.
The tree was there before
the apartments were there,” Hall
said. “But people can’t predict
exactly when a tree will fall.”
Crossword brought to you by
ready for a
Change?
park,
Blackberry
Continued from A-1 “
If the IV Little League
wants to give the festival
another try, I say, why not?”
said councilman Margaret
Miller during discussion.
Davis said in a letter
to the council that she
spoke with several who
were interested in setting
up booths and that Sterling
Bank gave the little league
permission to use the whole
parking lot. Funds from the
festival would go towards
equipment, operation and
scholarships for families unable
to afford having their kids play.
City Recorder Ryan
Nolan also informed those
present that Josephine County
Public Works denied a request
for an extended school zone and
stop sign at East River Street
and Old Stage Road based on
traffic volume and population.
IVHS Activities Calendar
brought to you by the folks at
HypnOtHERapy
adults and Children
541-659-5792 cjnewdirections@yahoo.com
Across
2. Trampled
5. Refuse
9. Jumping on one foot
10. Ooze
11. Hesitate
12. Type of sheep of
central Asia
15. In a joyous manner
17. Nil
19. Wife of your uncle
20. Heroic tale
22. Consumed
23. Crouch
25. Unaccompanied
27. Wood fastener
28. Northern lights
30. High mountain
31. Relinquish control
over
32. Urn
34. Total up
36. Maybe
38. Hibernating
41. Darkish
42. Burden
43. Baseball stat
44. Unit of money in
India
45. Lazily
Crossword Solution on Page A-4
Down
1. A yellow quartz
2. Heavy dull sound
3. Valentine flower
4. Manipulator
5. The state of being
rich
6. Bird of prey’s nest
7. Health club
8. Flightless bird
10. Body covering
13. Fabric for military
uniform
14. Prevaricator
16. A street or road
(Fr.)
18. Topic for discus-
sion
20. Break with a sharp
noise
21. Extremely cold
22. Succulent plant
24. Type of motor fuel
26. Dictate
28. Vinegar is one type
29. Boulevard
30. Burned residue
33. Forms of creative
beauty
34. An appraisal of the
state of affairs
35. Appliance that
removes moisture
36. Window glass
37. Knitting stitch
39. Belonging to us
40. Swab
541-592-3556
Cave Junction
541-471-7487
Grants Pass
541-469-7545
Brookings
541-773-7487
Medford
Varsity Wrestling (Boys)
Friday, Feb. 18 - @ Glide
High School (3A District
Tourney) Time: 12:00pm
Saturday, Feb. 19 - @
Glide High School (3A
District Tournament)
Time:12:00pm
Kim, I’m so tired of beans
& rice! What I really want
is some good Old Spaghetti.
And I don’t remember who
won the last time we played in
the Pool Tournament.
Mac, I don’t remember much
of anything from the last
tournament either. But let’s try
again on Saturday at 7pm!
AND ..for $5 You can have your
Spaghetti & eat it too!
All-You-Can-Eat
(maybe you do)
SPAGHETTI on Mondays @ 5pm!
145 S. Redwood Hwy
541-592-6663
145 S. Redwood Hwy
541-592-6663
Look for New Spring Schedules
for Baseball, Softball, Track,
and Boys & Girls Golf ...
All Coming VERY Soon!
GO COUGARS!