Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Oregon statesman. (Salem, Or.) 1916-1980 | View Entire Issue (March 28, 1931)
Page Thks iiaeing regon Westward Migration of Kentuckians, Tennesseeans Brought Fever for Fine Horses With It; Rigors of Settlement Retarded Sports; State Fair; Was Center. of Earliest Contests ,' Oregon City, Ore., -Maech. 28. 185ll Salem, Ore., March 28, 1931 Morse (SdEQe$--t6 o By Oswald West 101 1911 in a state ot isolation, their own creation and Governor of Oregon. 7TIHE. early settlers of Kentucky and Tennessee came large- , A ly from 'Virginia and the Carolinasl Most of them were horse lovers and crossed the mountains and the pathless wil derness mounted on stock that carried in their veins some of the-best racing blood of Old Virginia. , 'For years these, pioneers lived Their amusements were largely of consisted principally of making whiskey, racing horses and shooting. In these lines they excelled and,,m time, Ken tucky whiskey, Kentucky horses and Kentucky rifles to say nothing of its women became la-O mous throughout the Union. As trade follows the flag, so did the "race boss" follow the Ken tuckians and Tennesseeans as they moved westward into Missouri and the Ohio , valley and when, m the 40's and BO's,' the movement across the 'great American desert to Ore gon took place, sprinkling j of blooded sires and dams were to be found, in practically every wagon trafe. -'V Unon". arrival in Oreroiu of course, - these wagon trains were broken up and .families' scattered 11 vwvinfa mnA mafa pttlpmrit in localities offering some particu lar attraction. The task of building a home and providing food and clothing during the first few years, so completely took their time, that they had but little, if any, to de vote to , horse' racing and kindred sports.. So the Sport of Kings" remained only, a memory kept green, however, by the presence of a few scattering thoroughbreds and their get. ' State Fair Started at Oregon City : In time there grew up among the' settlers a demand for an an nual meeting place where livestock and farm products could be ex hibited and acquaintances renewed. As a result the Oregon state fair was organized. The Jfirst meeting place was near' Oregon City in 1861. The reported receipts were $1,444.17 , and the ! disbursements, including premiums, $1,200.67. . A little later the fair was permanent ly located at Salem, and in time was given state aid. Along in the Wi and '70s a number of the counties organized fair associations and as a result, in addition , to Salem,' race meets were held at Albany, Hillsboro and Portland. The early races were all running--the trotters and pacers were to come later. These early race, meets at the state fair saw a gathering of the clans. The horses enjoyed but little training, the jockeys were inex perienced and the track little bet ter than a county road. Time, how ever, cured all this. j Horses Bred on Farms and Brought to Fair In these early times the horses were bred and raised on farms and stock ranches throughout the state and often in remote sections. A trip to the fair, which was held in the fall, often called for a journey of ' several hundred miles over mountains and deserts on abomin able roads. As fair time approach ed, the old ' camn wagon was brought ' into - service and loaded with food," equipments and the fam ily. The boys brought up the rear astride or leading the race horses. Every county and every section. sent 'its caravans and when fair week arrived the camp ground was dotted into tents and hundreds of camp fires illuminated the night. Around these camp fires would gather the sturdy pioneers who found Oregon in the rough, .pushed back the brow. of the wilderness, built homes, schools and churches and .established a stable govern ment, j They now renewed acquain tances, discussed past experiences and planned for the future. - Those old ' days' - are now gone, and with them the pioneers and the camp fires, but -the memory of it all is cherished by those now living who were fortunate enough to have witnessed such : scenes as the old gathering place,- Not all those who met - at the fair grounds were owners of race horses. Many were there as ex hibitors of livestock and products of the farm and home. It is safe to say, however, that practically all men and women, were fond of horse racing and honored the race track with their presence when the hour for the races arrived. Famous Names of Owners in Early ,'70's The old records show that dur ing the TO's there were around 100 Oregonians : actively engaged .. in breeding and racing horses. Among the more prominent participants in the running races were: U. S. Sen ator J. W Kesraith and C. J. Bas kett of Polk county; General John F. Miller and James T. and William Bybee of Marion; William Bigham of Wasco; J. C. Tolman of Jack son; William Gird of Linn; James Cozart of Grant; W. H. Musgrove, William Tennant and J. A. . Crabb of Multnomah; also Daniel Young, W. A. Scroggin, M. L. and William White, Christian Buckley, George Coggin William Tompkins, Sank Owens, Brick Pomeroy, George Whitmore, A. D. Platner and as many others. When harness races came in vogue new faces appeared at the meets. Among them Congressman Thomas H. Tongue, S. G. Reed, M. O. Lownsdale, J. J. T relet, J. A. Porter, John Taylor, Joseph Tay lor, J. Misner, C. P. Bacon, Lute Lindsey, John Watson, E. Whit-, field, James Clarke, J. J. West- brook; N. W. Fisk, B. B. Aker, J. Proebstel and John Young. While there were crooks and gamblers following the races then, as now, the old horsemen were, as a rule, in the game for the love of the sport and made every effort to protect it, - The races were few and the purses small. The oppor tunity for financial gains was not great, yet these old horsemen re mained true to the sport until pov erty, old age or death lifted the bridle from their hands. AN EARLY "STYLE SHOW i t - v liL i - - t f 1 GROUT IV FRONT OP "THE STREKT, IN 1880'S. - Copyright;. eBftoy'CrpniM Studio. PALACE LEAD9". OUT COMMERCIAL, ."A'rf'-v ----- Fathers' DonatioW r t Claims are r arme d LOW PRICES IN '95 Portland markets 1895: Valley wheat, 53c; hay, clover, $6; oats 27c;- poultry, broilers, 1.50 and 3.50 dozen;, eggs 12c dozen'; wool, valley; 9 and 11c; hops, 3 and 5c lb.; hogs, choice, 3.50 3.75; mutton 2i00-2.25; beef, top Z and 3.50. FATHER OF WRIGHTS Milton Wright, United Breth ren Treacher, was principal of Sublimity institute in 1857; re turned to Indiana; married; had two tons. Wilbur and Orville Wright, inventors of airplane. WALDO HILLS, March 27. There are today in this commun ity five farms which were dona tion land claims taken In 1847 and now operated by descen dants of the man who saw the possibilities of this fertile land. Let us visit these modern farms. We shall leave the city of Silver ton, taking the Stayton road about a mile and a half south, then taking the road to our left which winds over the hill south and east. Here we are at the Mascher farm. This farm of 640 acres was taken in 18 44 by Christ F. Mas cher, father of the man, I. Fred erick Mascher. who now owns and operates It. The elder Mascher had come from Gerinany. It was he who assisted in jthe organiza tion of the Bethany church on the Salem road. He passed away in 1909. This farm lis noted for its wealth of fruit, especially grapes, the cultivation of which is a hobby with Mr. Mascher, who celebrated his 80th birthday De cember 6. 1930. Riches Farm Taken In Days of '51 Now back to the highway and south about five miles. A faiile east from the highway lies the farm now owned and operated by Charles R. Riches. The land was taken as a donation; land claim in 1851 by George Riches, father of the present owner An attrac tive, modern home stands close to the road. Grain fields are on all sides. Back to thej main high way and south a mile or so to the claim taken by Mrs. J. S. Hunt. Her husband had one across the road but I? has passed into other hands but hers is in the capable hands of! her grand daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Hunt Albaugh, who with ihe help of Theodore Riches, is Running the farm. Mrs. Hunt's daughter, Mary, was the first wife of George Riches and it was in an early is sue of The Statesman that her death was chronicled, j Let ,n now turn back on the highway toward Silverton ; to the road leading to Salem, past the .lovely- new club house recently built by the Waldo HIUs. com munity club. Tucked ,a,way from the road to your left lies the farm taken in 1847 by Ralph Gees, as a donation claim. The rambling farm house is still there though modernised by the grandson and present owner, A. A. . Geer. Now west aid north . to the old Hibbard claimi Taken in 1S47 by King Hibbard, grand father of the present owners.- Mrs. Helen Paget. Mrs. Gertrude Car rie and Mrs. Josephine Hall. Both Mrs. Paget and Mrs. Currie.;live on the farm in- mpdern.-homes. This claim has the distinction, of having-land patent No. 1 issued-to it. - Boys, Separated on Trail, Are Joined Again A charming story of pioneer days came to light when this in formation was being secured. -The Geer family coming west from Ohio and the Hibbards westward bound . from Illinois met- at the Mississippi river. Calvin Geer and King L. Hibbard,. boys. of. about 10 years bad . some delightful days and besought their fathers to Join the same train. But Mr. Hib bard, fearing grass would not be plentiful if the train became too large, pushed on. The boys bade each other farewell, never ex pecting to meet again. One day young King hearing, a new neigh bor and his son had come to buy poles ran out to. look over the newcomer and beheld his much mourned friend, Cal Geer. ? They not only lived neighbors but adjoining homesteads. Breyman Whist Party Was Jolly Affair, Report "On Tuesday evening Miss Amis Breyman. gave a delightful whist party at; the elegant residence of her father,' Werner Breyman, cor ner state ana (cottage -- streets. Whist, dancing, games, music, etc, caused the evening to pass hastily and pleasantly.' There. were pre sent Miss Anna Breyman, Mrs. W. Breyman, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Strang, Miss Lena Breyman, Miss Maggie S. Cosper, Miss Alice Hatch, Miss Carpenter and Messrs. Dearborn, Willis, Piper, Holgrate and Manning." The Statesman, Apr. 14, 1887. fm v "T u. """v -v " on THE KEELEY CURE In 1894 the Keeley Institute for Oregon located in Salem and The Statesman said the institute "will be a welome adjunct to the business and social life of Salem." THERE ARE 18 NOW Trunk telephone line between Salem and Portland completed and opened for business, Nov. 7, 1890. PLAY on the SALEM GOLF CLUB COURSE Located est Rivers Me drive 2 H miles south of Salem. An 18 hole course with green watered fairways and beautiful large greens. Each hole different. (Formerly the old Hacghes donation land claim.) The Salem Golf club course was opened for play in the fall of 1928 and has proven very popular. It was" laid out under the personal supervis ion of Ercel Kay, president, and Graham . Sharkey, secre tary of the club. Mr. Sharkey and Mr. Kaa are professional players, each being par golfers. Both men give their entire time to the management and upkeep ot the course, thereby assuring the club members the beet possible Bervice. The course is open also to the public at nominal green fees. A ' new club 'house .was erected about a year ago and is at the disposal of members and their friends. Constant improvements are being made on the fairways, and every consideration Is given to the golfer's pleasure. the man's shop . . . congratulates the statesman on this, its 80th anniversary the man's shop hollis w. huntington 416 state: street. tel. 528