Bandon recorder., December 19, 1907, Image 5

Descriptive of the Fourmile Country,
South of Bandon.
Fourmile Creek is about eight
miles below Bandon regardless of
the name which is very misleading,
The creek does not seem to be four
miles from any particular spot nor
does the name refer to the length of
the stream. We have never been able
to find anyone who could tell why it
was so named. Some portions of
this country were settled many years
ago, and a few of the farms are
under good cultivation, the most
notable being the dairy ranch of the
Cope Brothers, on the South Fork,
and that of Mr. Shaw near the mouth
of the creek.
The land is rough and mountain­
ous, but there are always desirable
building spots even on the roughest.
It is more easily cleared than is usual
in these wooded countries, and the
soil is very productive, especially on
the hillsides and flat tops of moun-
h
ble for cultivation. The most fertile
of all is that which has a growth of
yine maple or alder. These strips
are very easily, cleared and make
the best building spots on account
of the close proximity to water,
The railroad will cross the creek
about a mile from its mouth. There
is a good wagon road now, which,
with a little improvement, will make
a highway with an easy down hill
grade, by means of which the timber
and produce can be taken out to
market, and we predict great
changes in the near future affecting
the prosperity of the Fourmile
country, both
materially and
socially.
With the rich soil and our unri­
valed climate, this country is des­
tined to be the garden spot of Ore­
gon. Vegetables of all sorts, berries
and other fruits, thrive here with
very little care, and no insect pests
worth mentioning.. Wheat, oats,
There is still some very fine timber
rye and barley are cut for hay, while on the sheltered portions which
clover and vetches are raised for the escaped the ravages of the big fire;
dairy cows.
immense firs, Port Orford and red
The principal industry of the past cedars. Even in the burned dis-
has been sheep and cattle raising, tricts there is a large quantity of
but as the land is being taken for down timber of the red and white
homes the ranges are cut up and cedar which will be in demand for
this industry must give place in a matchwood and shingles. This will
great measure to the cultivation of furnish employment right at home
the soil. There are portions of for a man and his team and make the
4b’ T is well known that we, who handle goods
i for holidays, know pretty well what will
iff
please, and in selecting our stock we
on'y w^at
apPr^>ated by the
/ 1
various recipients. Not that we can judge
K
all people the same, but our holiday line
▼ «'''*"■*
is carefully selected, useful and each
article is dainty and is the finest of its kind.
A swell line of hand painted Japanese and China Dishes,
at prices ranging from 25 cents to $10, all hand work from the
cheapest piece to the most expensive. Another fine gift would
be a Bottle of Perfume, especially for the Christmas trade.
These are Reigler’s best perfume and come in all sizes.
A line of box stationery that has never been surpassed in
Bandon now in. The latest and finest paper in fancy boxes,
especially for this season at prices from 25 cents to $4 a box. The
boxes may be utilized for gloves or handkerchiefs. Our line of
Christmas candies both in bulk and boxes would be hard to
duplicate and could not be excelled in town. All prices.
Toilet and Manicure Sets, something especially fine for this
line at prices to please. Our Squaw Bags are worthy of mention,
and they are the latest hand bag novelty.
A line of the famous Conklin Self-filling Fountain Pens on
display. These are fully guaranteed.
Money refunded cheerfully
if not as represented. Prices up to $10.50.
•.
fe.:
U ’
Xmas Hints for Buyers Who are Looking for
Christmas Tide Gifts.
Cigars in Christmas boxes.
smoker more appreciate?
■'
Meershaum Pipes—What can a
We have Christmas Cards, all kinds and at all prices, Many
other useful articles too numerous to mention in this space,
may be found extremely suitable for this season, Call and
see our
e
stock, anyway.
■
> * > j- «-
The Bandon Drug Co«,
Vettel» Loading at the Wharvet
of
Bandon
Warehouse».
Bandon, Oregon.
tains. The bottom land here has
proven to be inferior in quality when
compared with the higher lands;
the finest gardens are found on the
uplands.
Fourmile country is fast settling
up, and yet there is land to be had
if one will go back among the hills
to look for it. It is to be expected
that the first settlers will take the
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land nearest the streams, and conse­
quently most accessible.
At the
time these lands were taken, the dis­
comforts and hardships were even
greater than are to be met with at
the present time, yet how common
it is to see the look of disappoint­
ment on the faces of those who are
looking for land when they are told
that they must strike out into the
woods.
The first settlers have made it
possible for these who come later,
opening up roads, clearing away
timber and letting in the sunshine,so
that now these openings furnish
grass in abundance. One young
man who has taken a claim here
finds that he can cut a good crop of
hay the first year just by making a
blockade to keep out the neighbors’
cattle. The fires that swept thrbugh
this country about forty years ago
cleared up a large section. There
are tracts of prairie land covered
with mesquite or velvet grass, and
not a stump to be seen, only a few
charred tree trunks. These places
are back in the mountains, it is true,
but there are trails leading to them,
and they are better traveling than
the roads on the river bottom, for
the hill roads are dry most of the
year.
The big fires cut into the valuable
tracts of timbersothat at the present
time only a small amount is to be
found of the old growth, while a
heavy new growth covers a large
portion of the land. The destruction
of the large timber makes the land
more easily cleared and more valua-
lands known as Indian Allotment
lands dotted here and there through
the whole length of the Fourmile
country. These lands will continue
to be used as free range for all until
s< me action is taken toward throw­
ing them open for settlement: this
may not occur for several years. Il
is seldom necessary to feed stock in
the winter, and many stockmen
never make any hay at all. Sheep
and cattle live out on the open hill­
sides all winter and are fat in the
spring. Sometimes at long intervals
there have been heavy losses on ac­
count of severe weather, but it is
very unusual. The man who pre­
pares for emergencies has nothing to
regret at least, and nothing to lose.
building of good roads an object.
There are several good locations
in this vicini ty for a shingle mill and
timber enough to keep it in oper­
ation for some time to come.
An
indu stry of this kind would help the
clearing of the land and be a general
benefit to the community.
The second growth fir of this
section is of exceedingly fine quality
being unusually tall and straight and
free from limbs.
Much of this tim­
ber is large enough to be sawed in­
to lumber while the smaller growth
may be used for piling.
A saw­
mill and a pulp mill are projects
worth considering by enterprising
business men looking for places for
investment of capital.
A branch
railroad or tramway can be built
connecting with the main line.
This can be done at a nominal ex­
pense and the raw material or the
STEIGER & KERR’S
OCCIDENTALS
—NEVER FAIL.**
Builder’s Material and Supplies
Heavy and Shelf Hardware
Lighthouse at Bandon.
This country has always lx-en the finished product can thus find an
hunter's paradise. By the elk horns outlet. With the opening up of the
now found we know'That the elk county new industries will spring to
life.
were very plentiful at one time, it is
The gre atest factor in the pros­
%
said that there are a very few in this perity of a community is content­
vicinity yet. Deer are found in large ment, without it there is little incen­
tive to the promoting of permanent
numbers, but with the coming of the institutions. It is rare in this com­
settler they are more shy, keeping munity to hear complaints and
further back in the hills. Within wherever this is encountered it is
some “chronic kicker” who has
the last four years I have seen four the habit of being dissatisfied. It is
in my dooryard and several others pleasing to note the cheerful hopeful
atmosphere and one can but wish
out on the hills. Bears, wildcats and success and prosperity to those
panthers also inhabit this region. faithful toilers who are straining
ever)’ energy in the building up of
The land along the streams for a that greatest of all institutions, the
distance of five miles is all taken. home.
The Bandon Hardware Co
Opposite the Postoffice.