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COUNTY OFFICIAL PAPER, $1.50 YEAR PRINEVILLE, CROOK COUNTY, OREGON, THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1912.
Eulrrril l th po!olBr t PrlflTlll
VOL.XVI-NO.25
Crook
CoMety
JOMraM
Grand Jury
Makes Report
In the circuit court of the tal of
Oregon for Crook county.
To the Hon. W. L. Bradshaw, cir
cuit juiitfo;
We, the grand jury, empaneled
t the May. 1912, term of circuit
court of Crook, county, beg leave
to report a followi:
We have been In session three
day and have returned Ave "true
bills" and one "not true bill."
We have given our- most careful
consideration to all complaint and
matters of every kind which have
been brought to our attention and
present the following recommenda
tion! and concluilona a a remilt of
our report:
With reference to the county
protterty we find that the name la
In good condition and 'being proer
ly cared for, with the exception
that in the opinion of the grand.
jury, heavy wire screen of a very
amall mesh should lie placed over
the window leading to the county
jail, because undt'r the present situ
ation there I nothing to prevent
any one panning saw or other im
plement through the window of
the county jail and we trust that
the county court will take Immed
iate itepa to remedy this 4t'fc'ct-
We take pleasure in commending
the work of the present janitor for
the care he hat given to the court
house property, both the building
and the lawn aurrounding It, and
which is a credit to the county and
ahow that he haa been diligent In
that regard.
We have examined the booka and
office of the varioua county official
and while the time It! o limited
that we are unable to pas on the
correctness of the accounts, yet we
are very favorably impressed with
the way the offices are being con
ducted and everything appear to
be done In a systematic manner and
we have been Bhown every courtesy
In our investigation by all the
county officials. .
The attention of the grand jury
has been called to the proposed
contract for the cruising of timber
upon deeded lands for the purpose
of ascertaining the valuation for
assessment purposes. While wej
realize that the present basis of
timber taxation is not satisfactory, j
yet in view of the fact that a
.cruise done this year would not be j
available for the increase of revenue
until the spring of 1914 and the
further fact that several of the
present county officinls, including a
majority of the county court, will
go out of office next January and
the proposed contract would have
to be carried out by officials who
were not parties to the making of
this contract, we do not deem it
wise that this proposed contract be
entered into at this time and we
therefore strongly recommend that
the proposed timber cruising con
tract be not entered into or exe
cuteJ by the present county court
at this time.
Some rumors have reached the
grand jury with reference to the
handling of some of the county
money out of the road funds by the
present county judge, H. C. Ellis,
and the grand jury made a com
plete and thorough investigation of
the rumors and finds that Judge
Ellis has completely and thoroughly
accounted to the county for every
cent which was entrusted to his
hands. , "
There have been other criticisms
with reference to the handling of
other county funds and the grand
jury has given some attention to
this but has ascertained that the
books of all the county officials, in
cluding all members of the county
court, are now , being experted by a
"Ml .j I f ' in M, , I - ,.-
topH A, : .
W C U 4 Th l" or the Titanic victim recovered by the Mackay-Bennett were brousht to nallfax, where an army of undertaker
nCWS OUApSnOIS Wi, WBtnJ to embalm th bodies and send tbem to their families. William Vincent Astor, who I not twenty-one year of
fr . aire. Inherit $00,000,000 by tb death of bis father. An immenae unraga parade wa held In New York. Many notables were
VM III if Ceil la tn, 0f marcher. Tb indden departure of Ambassador Bryce for England gav rise to tb report that be bad been
rwnllnd. Archbishop tilovannl Uoniano, th new apontollc delegate to tb United State, arrived in tbl country. The government brought wilt against the
luternutluuol Harvester coiupau alleging that It wa a trust lame E. Deereering la one of the defendant.
cometent expert whose report, it
is expected, will be finished in
about two weeks, and therefore we
deem it unwise and premature to
make any statements in this respect
in advance of the completion of the
expert's report, which, undoubtedly,
will sjx-ak for itself.
We have also learned that a new
system has been provided and
adopted for the handling of all of
the county funds expended for road
purposes, which to us apjiears a sat
isfactory and eomjietent system and
which we believe will provide for
contingencies of this kind in the
future.
We find that in a large portion of
the county the enforcement of the
weed law has been allowed to be
very lax and this has been tb the
detriment of those
farmers who are
trying to observe the law and keep
..t i : !
their place free from noxious
weeds and we earnestly recommend
that the county court and the road
supervisors acting under the same
proceed to use every diligence pos
sible to bring about a strict enforce
ment of the noxious weed law, and
it is only by a strict enforcement
that the results provided for in this
law can be obtained.
Observing, as we have, that the
work in the assessor's office has
greatly increased in the last year
and will greatly increase in the next,
few years to come, we believe that
present salary of one thousand dol
lars is inadequate for the services' of
a firstrdass competent man and we
therefore recommend to the repre
sentative of Crook county in the
coming legislative assembly that a
bill be introduced in the legislature
increasing the salary of the assessor
of Crook county to fifteen hundred
dollars per annum. In this connec
tion we also observe that the salary
of the treasurer is wholly and pit-
ably inadequate, as he is c impelled
to furnish a bond of eighty thousand
dollars and handles each year sev
eral hundred thousands of dollars
of the county's money, all for a re
compense of six hundred dollars a
year. We think that it is asking
too much of any one man to assume
this responsibility and furnish such
a bond for such a salary and we
therefore recommend to the county
court that commencing immediately
the county court pay to the county
treasurer nn amount additional per
month which will make his annual
salary equal to one thousand dollars
per year, and that this arrangement
be continued until such time as the
legislature can pass a bill formally
increasing the treasurer's salary to
the amount named and make the
same recommendation to the repre
sentative from this county now also
as was done in reference to the as
sessor's salary.
We have examined the condition
of the county charges and find that
the arrangements for their care and
maintenance are satisfactory ip , all
respects and that they are being
given prompt attention and at a
reasonable coBt to the county.
Having completed our lalxirs, we
respectfully ask to be discharged.
J. F. Rice, foreman,
Henry Bivins,
Earle Benton,
J. W. Berry,
E. A. Bussett,
Albert M(xre,
A. L. Logan.
Agitating Division of
Crook County Again
County division is up again, and
blue prints, i bowing the propos
ed new lines of division are being
circuluted generally throughout
the county for the purpose os as
. .1 i At:
the subject.
The move this time it seems,
originated in Prineville, from
which place the first blue prints
were sent to Culver. The Culver
people, however did not like the
proposed division, and have pre
pared another set of prints with
the boundaries of the proposd
new counties drawn as they
would have them. Copies of
these prints as prepared by the
Culver people have been received
in Madras, and may be seen at
this office, at the Madras State
Dank and at Tucker &Culp's.
The plan is to divide the pres
ent county into three counties,
the eastern part of the present
county, including Prineville, to
remain as Crdok county, and
dividing the western and north
em part Into two counties. The
exact lines ol the proposed
division are described as follows:
Beginning at the southwest
corner of Wheeler County, on the
section line between township 19
and 20 east, thence in a southerly
direction three miles to the sec
tion Una between township 13 and
14 south, thence 51 miles in a
westerly direction along this sec
tion lines, to the intersection of
this line with 'Squaw Creek,
thence in a southwesterly dir
ection along Squaw Creek until it
intersects with the section line be
tween townships 14 and 15 south,
thence west 16 miles to the Lane
County line.
AH territory north of this east
and west line to comprise one
county. A second new county is
to be formed by making au east
and west division by drawing a
line due south from the first east
and west line on the north to the
Lake County line on the south,
this division line to be the section
line between sections 14. and 15
east, all the territory west of this
line to comprise the second of
the new counties.
Under these new proposed di-
visious, the new county in the
north would comprise about 1900
square miles and include Madras,
Metolius, Culver, Opal City, La-
inonta, Grizzly, Pine Ridge, Gate
way. Hsisler, Hay Creek, Ash
wood and tb Axhandle. country.
The new western county would
comprise about 2100 square
miies, and include Redmond,
Bend, Terrebonne, La Pine,
Sisters, Laid law, and Oneil, while
the old county with Prineville as
the county seat would include
about 6000 square miles.
The plan of those back of the
movement is to present the facts
to the people of the county
through mass meetings and con
ventions, and learn their feelings
in the matter, and if conditions
warrant it, put the divisiou np to
the voters of the state at the next
general election. Madras Pio
neer.
Progress Made on
Experimental Farms
Redmond Spokesman W. L.
Powers, superintendent of the
demonstration farms in Crook
county, informs The Spokesman that
ground for use with cultivated crops
on the demonstration farm is all
leveled and fitted for - seeding and
fertilizers of different kinds have
been applied to certain plats. The
earliest crops have been seeded some
two weeks, and field peas and onions
are now up. Over 100 varieties of
cereals have been seeded this week
on small trial plats. Acre plats are
being seeded to barleys, oats, field
peas, mangles, potatoes ana corn,
onians and cabbage.
Different amounts of water will
be used on clover, alfalfa and po
tatoes to show which is the most
economical amount to 1 use with
these crops. Thorough cultivation
of row crops and production of field
peas in double cultivated drill rows
will be used in connection with a
minimum amount of irrigation on
certain plats. A fertalizer trial has
been started to show the relative
value of different fertalizers, and to
compare the effect of gypsum and
potash on the fertility of the soil.
. Arrangements are being made
between Supt. Powers and progres
sive farmers in the different dry
farming and irrigated sections
whereby one or two in each district
will be provided with choice pedi
greed seed to be planted and cared
for according to the directions fur
nished with the seed. This will
give the farmers in each locality a
chance to compare their local seed
ana practices wim those recom
mended by the experts, and they
will be raising some pure, acclimated
seed for future use.
The list of co-operating farmers
for this region include C. H. Foster
of Powell Butte, Mr. Hunter of
Powell Butte and Bend, W. H
Courteney of Laidlaw, J. W. Brown
ofLaidlaw, G, A. Bradley of La
Pine, C. H. Dencer of Bend.
The Wool Situation
Keeps Improving
Oregonian: Wool sales in East
ern Oregon have attained a large
volume and prices are moving de
cidedly in favor of the grower. The j
advance that has taken place in the
past two weeks has induced free
selling. Transactions last week
were on a large scale and the busi
ness done this week will be still
larger.
It is estimated that since the
opening of the season 4,500,000
pounds have changed hands in East
ern Oregon and Washington, the
bulk of the business being in this
tate, . u ...... .
Such points as Echo and Arling
ton are practically cleaned up of
wool, and at Pendleton, Pilot Rock,
Baker and other points, where wool
is now arriving, the selling is on a
liberal scale.
The prices now being paid are an
improvement over those offered at
the beginning of the season, and the
tendency is upward. Prices range
from 14 to 16 cents for fine and 16
to 18 cents for medium.
The best feature of the market is
that the Oregon clip this year ie
showing choice, light condition. In
point of quality, the clip is the best
that the state has produced for sev
eral years.
Frank Arnold
Has Accident
Frank Arnold, who lives in
Cloverdale, while blasting rock on
his farm Eriday forenoon was blown
up and badly injured about the
face and head.
Mr. Arnold was using home-made
blasting powder and in loading a
hole used a crow bar to tamp the
powder into the hole.
It is the supposition that the bar
striking against the rock caused
sparks which set off the charge of
powder. Being almost directly
over it it is a miracle he was not
instantly killed. As it was Mr.
Arnold was badly cut about the face
and eyes besides being cut and
bruised about the body. Mr. Ar
nold was taken to Redmond and
placed in the care of a physician
who reports that he believes he will
be able to save both of Mr. Arnold's
eyes, but that it will be some time
before he will be able to use them.
Pieces of rock were imbeded in the
balls of both eyes and Mr. Arnold
is certainly fortunate if he escapes
with his sight. Sisters Herald.
To the Public.
I have secured a renewal of the mail
contract between Prineville and Red
mond and will continue to serve mv
patrons in both places to the best of
niv ability. All express matter will re
ceive my personal attention. Soliciting
a snare ot your patronage, I remain,
respectiully, 5-10 MrrKcLE8CH.
County Court
Adjourned Term
An adjourned term of the county
court was held Monday, May 13,
1912. Present H. C. Ellis, judge,
presiding; Commissioners Rice and
Eayley, County Clerk Brown and
Sheriff Balfour.
In the matter of fuel for 1912-13.
In accordance with the advertise
ment heretofore published, and it
appearing after careful considera
tion of all said bids that the bid of
J. H. Delore for high school fuel is
the lowest and best, it is ordered
that J. H. Delore be awarded the
contract for the furnishing of
eighty cords of 4-foot body juniper
wood at the rate of $4.50 a cord, to
be delivered and piled on the high
school lot.
And it also appearing after care
ful consideration- of said bids, that
the bid of William Smith for court
house fuel is the lowest and best
bid, it is therefore ordered that
said William Smith be awarded the
contract for the furnishing of 100
cords of solid body pine 4-foot wood
at the rate of $4.75 per cord, to be
delivered and piled on the court
house lot.
It appearing to the court that
the insurance on the courthouse
building will expire May 19th, it is
therefore ordered that $47,000
worth of insurance be placed upon
the courthouse building and $3000
upon the furniture and fixtures,
making a total of $50,000, and that
the clerk attend to such insurances;
also that all policies be submitted
to the district attorney for his ap
proval in writing. ,
.Road supervisor. McKay district. ,
It appearing to the court that the
supervisor heretofore appointed for
said district has failed to qualify, it
is ordered that David Grimes be
and he is hereby appointed road
supervisor for said district, to serve
until January 1, 1913.
Money for special road fund.
The county clerk is hereby requested
to draw a warrant on the general
fund, payable to Ralph L. Jordan,
county treasurer, of' the special
road fund, for the sum of $1000,
for use in road work.
Amended plat of Prineville acres.
Now is presented to the court the
amended plat of Prineville acres,,
accompanied by a tracing thereof,
and it appearing to the court that
that said plat and tracing are not
properly executed, and it further
appearing to the court that the
county surveyor and the county as
sessor have approved said plat and
tracing as to form, -it is therefore
ordered that upon the presentation
of said plat and tracing, properly
executed by the owners of the land
therein included, that the same be
filed of record with the county clerk
and that thereupon this court will
duly approve said plat required by
law.
It appearing to the court by the
affidavit of P. B. Davis, 0 K'd by
the assessor, and by other evidences
that said P. B. Davis was wrong
fully taxed upon certain property
and that said wrongful tax had
been paid to the amount of $8; it is
therefore ordered that the county
clerk draw a warrant on the gen
eral fund in his favor for said
amount.
Whereas, it appears to the court
that the Central Oregon Livestock &
Agricultural Association is engaged
in getting the fair grounds in good
condition, working to the end that
a successful fair can be held which
will inure to the benefit of Crook
county as a whole; whereas, said
association is in need of some as
sistance from the county court, and
whereas Crook county has approxi
mately $300 worth of crude oil
(Cuutinued on jags 2.)