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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2020)
T HE W EST ❖ T HE S IUSLAW N EWS ❖ F LORENCE T IMES ❖ T HE S IUSLAW O AR ❖ T HE S IUSLAW N EWS ❖ S IUSLAW N EWS AW NE RS 2020 A look back at 130 years INSIDE EACH EDITION S IUSLAW N EWS THROUGH O CTOBER OF E EA CEL SN BR S 1890 SL W SIU SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020 | 9A AT I N G 1 30 Y 1894 “... Although prodigious puffing was indulged in, it failed to blow any sand into the eyes of an experienced mill man.” — The West, Vol. 5, No. 31 November 15, 1894 In an article in The West, Mr. Kline was planning a new saw mill at Spruce Point: “The sand moan of our friends over the river did not have much of an effect on Mr. Kline, and although prodigious puffing was indulged in, it failed to blow any sand into the eyes of an experienced mill man. Mr. Kline informed his sympathet- ic advisors that he had run a sawmill larger than any on the Siuslaw, and it was located on a sand plane almost as bare as those to the south of us. He laughs at the idea of sand inter- fering with the cutting of logs in a mill at Spruce Point.” “He Got Turnip Seed” — The West, Vol. 5, No. 23 August 8, 1894 “There is a gentleman who invol- untarily started a farm. His front yard was as barren of grass as Bill Bye’s head is of any hirsute adornment. With a view to having it green and pretty, he went over to the agricultur- al department and begged some lawn seed, which were willingly given him. He then returned, and with much satisfaction and expectation planted them. In a few days, the sprouts began to show above the earth — but they were very curious looking sprouts, and they seemed as much like blades of grass as a spade is like a pick. ... In a few weeks there was more pros- pect of having a vegetable garden than a lawn. ... After a time it was discov- ered that the man had received turnip seed instead of grass seed. 1895 1896 1897 “Now and Then by a Siuslaw Pioneer” — The West Vol. 7, No. 23 October 2, 1896 T en years ago, the Siuslaw was but a name, meaningless to all save a few brave pioneers who, strong in their faith that this was a land of promise, struggled against odds and endured hard- ships and privations now almost forgotten. Florence consisted of three or four tumble down cabins and a small struc- ture of rough boards that serves as a salting house for salmon. The nearest schoolhouse was 15 miles away. The only highway was the river, and skiffs and canoes afforded the only means of transportation. I well remember my first visit there, and the impression the barren solitude of the place made upon me -- the deso- late wastes of sand, the cold winds, the dark storm-twisted pines and the lone- ly river. I little dreamed how dear these were to become to me through associa- tion. The wind that chilled the stranger cheered the dweller on the shore with wild sea-songs of wondrous sweet- ness. The sands, on close acquaintance, changed from barren wastes to endless hills of gold. The river became a friend that gave new joy every day. Before I had lived a month in my tiny cabin under the pines on the Siuslaw, I was in love with the loneliness. Ah! It was a free life! Nature had her own way there and we fell in with her ever-changing moods, and felt her great true mother-heart beat close against our own. We ceased to remember that there was a world outside of this charmed spot to which we belonged — and to which we might some day return. There was never a day that was not perfect, never a night but brought new joy. Still, there were times when we were reminded of the outer world. On those days when the mail came in we walked up to the post office, going along the narrow river beach when the tide was low, and across the marsh to get our letters and magazines. There was something un- real about that marsh; we often spoke of it and of the strange feeling we always had when crossing it, as if we beheld ourselves from some far-off post of van- tage two lonely dark fig- ures amidst the solitude of sea and shore. But all of this was 10 years ago. It is very different now on the Siu- slaw. The dim and dingy cabin with its low eaves and tiny windows, where the mail was handed out over piles of cali- co, blue overalls and red flannel shirts, is no more. In its stead are handsome stores, elegant dwellings, a church, a schoolhouse, a big square hotel in Flor- ence and sidewalks. The small salting house has grown into a great cannery that sends its products out over all the world. There are steamboats on the river and a sister-town across the bay. There is a WCTU, a Shakespeare Club and The West, whose able editors hold no small place among the memories of those far days. The Siuslaw of today is a recognized locality and a factor in public affairs. Yes, there have been changes. In dreaming of those fruitful months spent down there on the edge of the world, I can recall only the dear delight, the beauty, the freedom and charming associations. If there was hardship or deprivation, I have lost the recollection of it. — The West, Vol. 8, No. 2 January 1, 1897 Glenada Gleaning — The West Vol. 8, No. 26 August 13, 1897 Wild blackberries are about gone but tame ones are getting ripe. Alaska fever is raging here but no fatalities are reported. There are no less than eight vari- eties of wild berries growing here in abundance. Cool and pleasant weather. Surely no person could find fault with this part of Lane County in regard to the weather. A good looking young bache- lor who by way has a nice ranch on Fiddle Creek says he will accept any young girl who will come and pro- pose to him. Mrs. J.L. Furnish, becoming dissat- isfied with the local bank, deposited a small amount of money in the (Siu- slaw River) bank. She recovered most of it at low tide. We have had an enforced econo- my during the last five years. In the west it has been especially stringent. But it has borne fruit. It has been an adjunct of industry, a spur to activity, an incentive to payment of debts and a means of doing it. It is laying the ba- sis of a new and better prosperity. The lesson is one that was needed, and one that will not soon be forgotten. Florence Foursquare Church Invites You Florence Foursquare Church Service Times Are: SUNDAY 10:45 a.m. Morning Worship Pastor George Pagel celebrating 30 years at Florence Foursquare Church! To Worship With Us! 1624 Hwy. 101 • 541-997-6337 www.florence4square.com