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About Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 1956)
Salem, Oregon, Thursday, December 13, 1956 THE CAPITAL JOURNAL Section 2 Page 1 EARLY DENTISTRY HERE RECALLED Whiskey Played Important Part in Pulling Teeth During Early Days By BEN MAXWELL Capital Journal Writer Whisky, they say, followed the flag. Then came Oregon's early doctors and dentists. Whisky fol lowed them, too. One hundred yiars ago, under pioneer condi tions, there was no other procur able narcotic and the bewhiskercd pioneer about to have his teeth jerked needed a dram or two to sustain his resolution and fortify his courage. Some of Salem's early dentists proudly displayed the white pledge of temperance. It is not likely that they offered a frantic patient a wig from the bottle before the cruel turnkey tightened upon the offending molar. Instead they dexterously twisted the bloody key that heaved the offending tooth and let the patient howl. Toothaches Widespread L. E. Wilkes in "By an Oregon Pioneer Fireside" mentions that nearly every person in pioneer times was afflicted "with tooth ache. The only-real cure was "out with the aclier." Usually this was an operation for some willing amateur who lived nearby, sometimes for the blacksmith and alwnys done without anesthetics or considera tion for surgery. Wilkes' pioneer father was one of those handy and willing dentists I who was o'tcn called from his beri lr.ie at nisht to go to a "pullin.' Louis Barzeee was born at Jef ferson Jan. 5; 1864. Years Inter he wrote a book about his youthful ex periences called "Oregon In The Making." Here he relates of his epcrience with an aching tooth and the rustic who extracted it 80 years ago. White bearded Uncle Ed Simmons pulled teeth without charge in Barzee's neighborhood. Ynung Barz?e with a swollen jaw ai::l an aching tooth found this patriarch, asshled by his son, cut lir? srato with a scythe. "Fe:ch my turnkeys" he told the boy and ordered Barzee to lie down on the ground with his face up and mouth wide open. When the turnkeys came Uncle Ed an chored Barzee with his weight, slashed the gums with his pocket knife and applied the turnkey; Aft er agonizing tv.-irts and jerks the outrage! ja.vbm'e snrrenf creel the tmlli. l.'.clc Ed iVn rs'-arc Brnv.ee frtm his fir1, v.i-e ?' the hb'wiy lurnl;?y v i h a r'cl b" dana handkerchief and the den tistry was over. . -First Salem Dentist . Salem's first known dentist was If. H. Dunning who advertised in a local newspaper, Nov. 29, 1853, that he was a surgeon dentist and In town only for a short time to Kerform any dental operation that e might be called upon to do. Itinerant dentists travelling through the Willamette valley in the 1850s led a hard life. Popula tion was scanty and they made their way over uncertain roads in winter that were sloughs of mud. They carried their few instruments In saddle bags and improvised their own laboratories on a kitchen table. When gold or silver foil was needed they sometimes placed a coin upon a blacksmith's anvil and pounded out their own with a planishing hammer. But in those times extractions comprised most of their practice. However badly needed, most pioneers could not afford dental plates then made, of gold and sil ver. Photographs made 100 years ago of older men and women show the shrunken mouths of those long accustomed to "gumming it." Dr. L. S. Skiff, Salem's distin guished oldtime dentist;' estab lished himself here during July 1858. At .first he was an itinerant but later set himself up in an of fice on State street. His formal ed ucation was limited, his dental training was that of an apprentice In his native state of New York. , Sarah Hunt Steeves in her "Book of Remembrance" relates how Dr. Skiff got himself a wife. On one of his itinerates he met Mary. Old Mr. Gardner's attractive daughter. Abner Gardner a pioneer of 1853 hsd settled in Fox Valley near Mehama. When Dr. Skiff ap proached Abner about marrying Mary the pioneer was skeptical. "What would Dr. Skiff do for a living after he got all the teeth of folks hereabouts pulled and filled?" Dr. Skiff somehow over came Abner's conception of a stat ic world and married Mary on May 1, 1859. Skiff Office Remembered Oldtimers well remember when the Skifl office for both father and son, Mark, was located on Liberty street at the site of today's Mont gomery Ward store. There they saw the Skiff collection of extrac ted teeth before the moment came for them, too, to writhe in his dental chair. Oldtimers also recall that Dr. Skiff was also a most skillful den i nnh.,nip A hinrrranher in 18,12 asserted that "he takes a high K rank as a skillful and successful operator, having produced some of the finest and most artistic work ever made on this side of the Rockies." In 1874 he adapted a water motor to his dental engine that burred teeth preparatory to. filling. And Dr. Skiff was consci entious about his work the filling! would endure long after the pain was forgotten. That is what Dr. Skiff hoped. When this writer was taken to Dr. J C. Griffinth 50 odd years ago to have hw baby teeth fixed the den tin had an engins oprated by a foot pedal. He told his yoima pa tient bear jwrrw. Tty i t pjrQruiarly aterestirig storias aad long aw forgott hot n patient fens art wet hraore Ua dental rmina W Umoenbag "T Damui trtvwUMd Urs. H. Suiiui and Ciorie H. Coca er tvlvtmat 1" at tanfital on oertreanfi do lijti tir nre to tar rti baA tod m t& m m Impoved styles. Including vulcan- dentists, offering plates from $5 ite Coralite and amber base as!to m a set in goId piate, ejiver 32, JS, J5SL"S5 r" .CST PWta. antine. vulcanite and. natural teeth being utterly dis carded in their practice." Smith and Chance gave particular atten tion to diseases of the gums and jaws: also to the regulation of chil dren's teeth. Rugged pioneer conditions were somewhat ameliorated following the Civil War. Folks in the Wil lamette Valley were giving more thought and consideration to the care and preservation of their teeth. Those needful of false teeth (the expression "dentures" be came common about the time the undertaker became a mortician) were offered falsies in a number of less expensive materials includ- hard red rubber. :" . Anesthetics Come . Agony associated with extrac tion was also ameliorated in the 1870s. Dr. Chance advertised that the danger of chloroform was avoided in his painless extractions by use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or Richardson's ether spray. But Dr. O. D. McCauley, an M. D. and a dentist, did not fear any danger from chloroform or ether "in judicious hands." In 1872 Dr. McCauley was located the first door east of Salem's "Cheap John Store." ' Come 1872 and Dr. Skiff had also fallen in line with painless dentist ry. His advertisement through sue- ins the Ions DODular. rubber. Salem Daily Press for cessive issues of the Salem Weekly May 2, 1870 carried the advertise-1 Mercury had a strange relation ment of Smith and Meredith, local ship to Perry Davis and Son's Pain Killer, a "positive relief for tooth ache." These advertisements al ways appeared, one above the other, in the .same column. After 74 years one wonders: Did Dr. Skiff's dentistry suggest the neces sity for a pain killer? Dr. T. C. Smith. Salem's painless dentist in 1886; offered to pain con scious patients nitrous oxide, vi talized air, chloroform, ether, or the freezer (cocaine) for painless extraction, in 1888 he added elec tricity as the very latest painless method of extraction. A little later Dr. C. A. Bonham over Squire Farrar's grocery store advertised that gold fillings were a specialty with him and that "my local pain obtunder (a narcotic) has no equal" when applied to the gums but five minutes renders extraction painless." Trained as Apprentices Salem's early dentists were most ly practionecrs trained under an apprentice system by master den tists. Dr. Skiff had dozens of ap prentices in his Salem office over an interval of 30 years. However, late in the 1880s, the apprentice dentist was losing ground to the fellow trained in a school of dentistry. Such was Dr. James Madison - Kecnc, born on French Prairie in 1864 and a graduate with honors from Phil adelphia Dental College in 1868. Dr. Keene was quite a blade. On July 4, 1887 he and others as cended Mt. Hood with 100 pounds of powder that was touched off that night on the peak to illum inate the crag with red fire ob served in Portland, Salem and elsewhere. Even so late as 1902 Dr. Everett, M. Hurd. a Salem dentist, saw fit to proclaim on the cover of the city directory for that year the fact that he was a graduate of the Missouri Den tal College. Advertising. Opposed From 1910 onward advertising dentists became a thorn in the flesh of dentists concerned with high standards and ethics for the profession. They may not have seriously frowned upon a Capital Journal advertisement by those well known partners, Drs. Epley and Olinger, in 1900, when they took front page space to announce new aluminum and rubber plates and gold crowns for S5 upwards. But they did not condone Dr. R. E. Wright's flamboyant spread in 1904 when that advertising prac tioneer proclaimed acquisition of 8000 teeth, the largest shipment ever received by a dentist on the Coast; for 30c on the dollar. Nor did they approve of his plates for $5, fillings for 50c, free extrac tions or extractions without pain. Cleavage Wldenes As the years advanced the cleav age between the dentist, who ad vertised, and the doctor, who did not, widened. When a gaudy itin erant with flares and a chair mounted on a wagon bed appeared on Saturday night at the corner of State and Liberty streets and ballyhooed extractions for "four bits" he was anathema among Sa lem's established dentists. Adver tising dentists implied that the practitioner with a conservative sign on his door was a member of the dental trust concerned only with the elite in his lucrative prac tice. Non-advertising dentists sug gested that his advertising com petitor was unethical and some times incompetent. Residents of Salem for the past 30 years will recall Dr. H. C. Ep ley. a local practitioneer for 40 years; who composed songs and was active in choir and chorus. His partner for many years was Dr. H. H, dinger; legislator, member of Salem school board and the capitol planning commis sion. Olinger field was named in his honor. In 1853 Salem -had but one den tist, Dr. U. H. Dunning, an inlin erant. Now, 102 years later, the phone book mentions 72 dentists and dental practitioners. Dean of these, most probably, is Dr. W. W. Darby who started practice here in September, 1904 and has been continuously a dentist on State street for 52 years. He continues active in his dental practice. AVIATION STIMULANT WASHINGTON (UP) The Ar my, whose aviation program was curbed recently by the Defense Department, will hold in all-Army model airplane meet next August. The Army said one purpose of the meet is to stimulate interest in Army aviation. DENNIS THE MENACE - By Ketcham . . . AH0 WHEN THEy START CALLW 'A GREAT BIS MAN', WATCH CUT J SCMfMV ' IS GONNA HUCTj limfiTimrPfnfnWI if BROWN'S JEWELRY 184 N. Liberty . DOLLAR BARGAINS FRI. & SAT. ONLY $2.00 Indian Brait Belli $2.00 Earrings, new arrivals, 2 for. , . $3.95 Jewelry Sets, gift boxed $5.00 Berry Spoons, sterling handles. $5.00 Billfolds, leather 15.00 Cuff Links Tie Pin Set!...'.. $ 1 2.S0 The Family Store Regular 59c Boxed CHRISTMAS CARDS Choose from 5 different assort mants of beautiful cards, Includ- - ... Ing religious. AT ANITA SHOP Corner State & Liberty Sts, CLEARANCE SALE FALL DRESSES Smart Style . . . Beautiful Fabric $5 -7 -$9 . . Former Values to $15.99 F. W. WOOLWORTH CO. Liberty and State St. TOY CADILLAC CAR Battery Operated Goes For ward and reverse, Sturdy me' to I construction. Colors Blue or Red. ' ' - i 1S5 N. Liberty Ph. 3-3191 MONTGOMERY WARD Christmas Gift Suggestion 88 Words Airline PHONOGRAPH o 3 Speeds Protected Arm that Saves Needles & Records Limited 'Quantity Rea. .19.95 AT WEISFIELD'S Reg. 6.95 Lazy Susan 3.99 S Ceramic Dishes on Revolving Base 305 N. Liberty No Money Down PEiMVEY'S Fabulous Value! Men's Cofton SALEM, OREGON DURENE KNIT UNDERWEAR Briefs or Undershirts . . . All Sizes... MAIN FLOOR for SJ50 ILEKrS 234 N. Liberty SEAMLESS HOSE The finest . . . made by a well known manufacturer. Perfects. 400 needle. Colors Copper, Tan and Cor sage. ForFabulou$'$fl09 Friday Only The Family Store 100 WOOL 260 N. Liberty BLANKETS Regular 9,98. The perfect gift that everyone can use. 100 wool guaranteed 5 years against moth damage. moo (2) BROWN'S JEWELRY 184 N. Liberty Imported China Cups & Saucers Fri. & Sot. Only Values to $100 2.50 THE PIKE Ice Creom and Sherbet 138 S. Liberty At the Bus Stop Ph. 3-6828 Tu-Fer" Ice Cream Sale Featuring 'ST ICE CREAM One Round Half Gallon $ Q 95e in Reusable Carton A for ltW7 W GREF.N STAMPS Open Daily and Sunday 'til 11 P.M. 260 N. Liberty u'.'ium:m:. e Family Store REG. 59c A YARD Poinsella Organdy 7 Ideal for aprons, table cloths and many other decorator ideas. c yard ylioimi not. stoiV WW Reg. 3.98 yd. Heavy Satin BROCADE $199 yd. 39" wide. Oriental patterns in assorted colors. Fabrics, 2nd Floor NAPKINS Reg. Pf 15c Pkg. (Limit Two) NEWBERRYS , Reduced! Boys Suits 2 pc. suits with flannel trousers, corduroy and part wool jackets. Regular 5.93 $77 Sizes 2-8 i3 Subject to Prior Sale BOYS WEAR B A S li M K N T MARILYN'S 148 N. Liberty CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Claislc Flrece-I.inrd MEN'S SLIPPERS To mikt him comfortiblt, It PR. 5.95 Many Olltir StyUt at Thau Saving At BROWN'S 184 N. Liberty SAVE Vi OR MORE ON QUALITY BINOCULARS . Open (Urn Reg. U.C0 9.M 7UJ kd. 3?. 15.88 0J0 fco. M OO 29.88 7i3l Ireo. MOO 39.48 7i0 Rep. W.I0 49-88 SivA mrtrfl lens. Individual form, l.eMfr no twlortwl. (iWrasOTSt 1 tt.-, Ko wiry down 50 trkly. r The Family Store 200 N. Liberty FIRST QUALITY CSIS NYLONS tururf sheer, Hi Twill, 60 giugt, IS denier famoji lor besurf end wear. Yeater TV & Appliance Co. "Just Across from Lipman't" 315 Chemekela St. Ph. t-6835 Salem's Best Buy! 1157 Model . . . 21-Inch Packard Bell Console TV Only Solid wood cabinet Cenctalad control tor horii. and Aluminiiad piclwra tuba vart. control. Powar tun -tor mar for longar trf Channal indicator Tntad fjlatt R'diot itart at $13 3 . . . Too control tuning Hi-Fi Coniola $199. f$ BROWN'S JEWELRY 184 N. Liberty DOLLAR BARGAINS FRI. & SAT. ONLY Wotch Bands, Ladies', Men's $1.95 Ash Troys, sterling silver, 2 for $1.95 Salt and Peppers, silver plated. $2.00 Value Rogers 3-Pc. Baby Set. . $2.00 Candy Dish, 22K gold trimmed $2.00 Cake Plate, 22K gold trimmed. $2.00 Cigarette Sets, 22K gold trimmed 6 pes $ 11 O o o
