Thursday, April 19, 1951
BROOKINGS
And Vicinity . . . .
By Emil R. Peterson
Historian, Coos-Curry Pioneer
and Pioneer Association
1. The Brookings Lumber Co.
I have been todl by different per
sons that a very good story about
this institution yvas published in
one of the leading timber maga
zines of Oregon during the hey
day of Brookings’ youth. 1 have
never been able to locate the
story. Everyone asked refers me
to someone else. Even our state
library has failed in locating it.
That institution seldom fails to
locate anything that has ever
been published. I yvould like to
see the story.
2. We yvould like a “good”
story about some old-time mer
chant of Southrn Curry county.
1 have heard about Blake and
I believe he yvould be a good sub
ject to write up. But I lack in
formation. I believe he yvas lo
cated some distance south of the
Chetco, perhaps at Cetco post
office in 1888, and a Fredrick H.
Blake in ’89. In 1874 there yvas
a man listed as H. Blake, joint
senator in the Oregon legislature
from Coos and Curry. Were these
Blakes of the same family as
the Blake yy ho had the store?
3. On another sheet I have
listed several post offices that at
one time or another were located
doyvn that way, with names of
postmasters. Any little story of
any one of those old post offices
and/or post masters might be
helpful.
4. We plan to have a section
of Twenty Pioneer Merchants of
Coos and Curry. It occurs to me
that Blake the merchants would
be a good subject for the ex-
treme end of Curry county. I
understand that he bought and
shipped farm produce, such as
butter, bacon and hams, wool,
possibly potatoes, perhaps other
things; that the products were
taken in lighters by the Van
Pelts out over the Chetco bar
and loaded on schooners outside.
Salmon was shipped in the same
way.
5. The Chetco River—how it
was navigated for a distance of
some 18 miles upstream—by a
boat in winter, by wagon teams
in summer. One of the Payne
brothers told me something about
it. I’d like to know more about it.
6. Old-time salmon fishing on
the Chetco; how the salmon were
caught, prepared by salting, then
packed in barrels and shipped,
down the river in lighters to the
schooners anchored outside. Was
there a cooperage in the com
munity? Subject for a good story.
7. Story of the Van Pelts with
their lighters.
8. The Swiss Family Payne—
how they traversed up the Chet
co by boat and horse teams—
their dairy cows how they mov
ed to the ranges in summer, set
ting up camp on the range miles
from their winter home — how
they packed and shipped their
butter, 10c, lb.
9. Myrtle Grove, Azalea Lane,
Lilies and other bulbs—present
status population—incorporation
—schools library what next?
The history will contain a few
lengthy biographies of families
who were prominent in leading
the settlements, the developmnt
—the progress and the general
advancement of Coos and Curry
counties.
We plan to have several med
ium biographies. We hope to find
room for several hundred very
brief biographical sketches, giv
ing merely the vital information
about each character—place and
year of birth; when and how they
BROOKINGS-HARBOR PILOT, BROOKINGS, OREGON
came t oCoos and Curry counties
kind of yvork folloyved—marri-
agg—date and name of spouse—
children's names; political and
church affiliation, etc.
The following sample sketches
are not offered as perfect models
but they may serve to help in
guiding writers. We need the
help of individuals in the vari
ous localities:
1. Albrecht, Carl L„ b. Ger
many May 29. 1872. son of Carl
H. and Hermania Albrecht; came
with parents to Marshfield. 1883;
attended public schools; folloyved
steam-boating, surveying!, rail- ;
road construction yvork; Repub-
lican; served three years on the
Marshfield city council; 1891 he
married Fannie E. Warner, the
daughter of Wm. and Laura War-
ner. One daughter, Vera L. Al
brecht. (57 words).
2. Benham. George Rr„ b. in
Missouri Nov. 29, 1862. Son of
Wm. and Susan (Miller) Ben
ham. Came with parents to Ore
gon in 1863. Father farmed and
did blacksmithing in Willamette
valley; later moved to Califor
nia and followed same work for
seven years. George helped his
lather with farm yvork during
his school years. About 1874 or
or 1875 the family came to Coos
county, the father buying land
in the Fairview’ district, settled
there. After some years with his
parents, George bought land for
himself, yvhich he cleared and
improved; erected buildings, and
bought and saised dairy coyvs;
did general farming. (About 100
yy ords).
3. Bennett. John D., b. Illinois
1848, son of Thomas and Sarah
(Baker) Bennett, farmer, saw
mill operator, general contrac
tor. 1871 married Belle Bunch.
Children:
William,
Edna M.,
Charles R.. Arthur R., Eva N.,
Lois N., Republican, Seventh-day
Adventist. Resided in
vicinity since 1871. ( About 50
words).
4. Crowley,
. , John
_ .... D., b. Mis
souri Nov. 1, 1847; came'to Cur-
ry county 1886; married Adeline
Cox, daughter of Wm. Cox. The
Crowleys had six children: Eliza
beth. Charles, Rebecca. David, and
Sarah. (About 30 words).
5. Fitzhugh, George, b Mis
souri Dec. 7, 1844; came to Ore
gon. 1950 and to Curry county
1888. residing on Floras Creek and
on Sixes River. Married in 1870
before coming to Curry county.
Nine Children: Francis, Charles
John (Jack) A., Robert, Marv.’
Nancy,
Phoebe (Nancy), and
Lester S. George Fitzhugh was
a surveyor and laid out the first
road from Floras Creek to Port
Orford.
(Send your sketch to your com
munity leader or to Emil R Pet
erson, Rt. 1, box 542, North
Bend, Oregon).
To Be Continued Later
Elder and Mrs. Shepherd and
family of Coos Bay who leave for
missionary fields in Africa soon,
led the Sabbath meeting of the
Seventh-Day Adventists at the
Giange hall, Saturday’. They’ go
to Rhodesia. Mrs. Shepherd‘is a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robin-
new owners of the Barton W
Marsh ranch up the Chetco
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Evenings by Appointments
PHONE 381
ROEDER FUNERAL HOME
508 H. STREET
CRESCENT
Brookings
Market
Where the Money
Ooes Farther—
Where the Variety
Where the Service
Is Better—
Where the Produce
Is Fresher—
Is Larger—
THURS., FRI., And SAL, APRIL 19, 20 & 21st
TEA GARDEN, 19-oz Jar
APPLE BUTTER .
SWANSDOWN, (2 3-4-lb. box)
CAKE FLOUR .
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CALIF.
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17c
39c
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WONDER FOOD (12-oz Cello Bag)
13c
MARSHMALLOWS .
rj
MEATS AND FISH
Picnic (5-6-lb. Average)
HAMS, lb
Fancy Solid
53c CABBAGE, lb
7c
Snow White
Drawn—Pan-Ready
Fresh Frying (2-2!/2-lb)
CAULIFLOWER, lb
CHICKENS, lb
Pippin
73c
Lean and Meaty
BEEF, lb. .
APPLES, 2 lbs
12c
FACIAL TISSUE
Solid Pack
Honor Brand
75c FROZEN PEAS
24c
All Flavors and puddings
Mission Brand
PEAS, 303 can
21c
55c SQUASH, lb. . . . 5c
ZEE (200 size)
BUTTER, lb
7c
Hubbard and Banana
Short Ribs of
15c JELLO, 3 for
FISHER'S (21/2-lb. Package)
BISCUIT MIX .
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