VOL. XXIV.
GRANTS PASS, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OREGON, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1908.
NO. 3.
THE ORCHARDS
AND VINEYARDS
Are Now a Panorama of
Horticultural Beauty.
STRAWBERRY NOW QUEEN
Orchard!! of Rogue River Val
ley Now Reveling in Anticipa
tion of Abundant Crop,
The newspaper "frat" of Grants
Pass ii not, essentially, a coterie of
millionaires, enjoying prominent
representation on either Lombard or
Walla treets, or a summer home at
Saratoga, Neither is the wish father
to the thought, bat when someone
lights the pipe and talks a boot di
vers things oollossal, this protege of
New England journalism who have
heeded the admonition ,of the sainted
Greeley "Go west, yoong maa,"
etc. some of as are from the state of
"show me.".
As before indicated there is a meter
on the bank account, but, aroused by
the stories of tbe orchards, vineyards
and strawberry patches of the county,
thsy were bound to test of the pud
ding ani so, chartered a coo pie of
automobiles at Olding's garage last
Sunday afternoon and, aocompanied
by W. B, Sherman, the Tokay man,
started for the Applegate.
At H. E. Qetbing's some four miles
south of Grants Pais, we found a splen
did strawbery patch and orchard on
purely granite land, which in the
earlier history of Josephine ooooty
the wiseacres said was nil. Despite
this "Knock" Mr. Gathing realized
$250 off one quarter of anjacreof straw
berriies last season and his faith is
such that he has planed four acres
nioreon tbe same kind of soil, though
he does not employ either Irrigation
or fertilizer. Mr. Getbing is one of
the most thorough fruit farmers in
the county; be believes in frequent
cultivaiion and the elimination of
weeds, in ' fact he says that there is
not room for weeds and strawberries
or other fruit on tbe same plot of
ground. He conserves the moietnre
by frequent and shallow cultivation,
after tbe Bamphelljmtthod,
Mr. Getbing also has a grape vine
which afford a comfortable Bhade at
bis kitchen door during the summer
months, which produces half a ton
of grapes each season. He is con
vinced from experience and store of
observation that granite land is the
equal of any other for the cnltore of
fruits, the only requirement being in
tense cultivation. His prunes, pears
and apples are unsurpassed in the
valley for healthy growth and pro
duction, and this cn what is called
"granite land."
From here the diciplea of the press
proceeded to Murphy and on up the
Appleagt passing the large Carson
vineyard, whieh is looking fine this
season. When the party reached the
S. H. Cook reach tbere was a royal
welcome. That Mr. Cook is thoroughly
acclimated to Southern Oregon is at
tested by the fact that he has been
imbibing the sunshine, invigorating
ozone and clear water from the
ruouutain peaks of the Pacific coast
for the past 40 years. There ia a
grapevine in Mr. Cook's front yard
wiiich is a foot or more in diameter
at the trunk and has been trained
over a trellis for more tban 100 ieet
The product ot this one'vine is fioni
a ton to a ton and a half per season.
And this Is not a'l for Mr. Cock's
f'ont yard snpi oru a cherry tree 100
incb-s in circumference aud 50 fet
high which, provinces more than a ton
of fruit each seamen. This grate vine
and therry tree ar p-rhaps t' e lsrgest
and most pn lino beare'8 in the Rogue
River valley. Tbere are other clierry
trees io Mr Cook's yard; shrubbery,
and flower, which ot only defy the
torrid rays of Old Sol. but should ex
cite the muse of the fuet.
The soil "here ia both granite and
clank loam, the product of which has
defied tbe tests of tbe skeptic who was
frightened by tbe first suggestion of
granite. Mr. Cook's borne is a verit
able haven of rest for he and bis esti
mable wife io tbeir declining years,
and a spothich might easily inspire
the artist or the writer of song. It is
one or tnose homes which typiBes the
civilization and calture of tbe Rogue
river valley and beckons the lover of
art and beauty to come aud dwell
among ns.
On our way tome Mr. Sherman
suggested a brief tonr for the follow
ing afternoon which wonld take the
press sang northwest of town and
accordingly at 1 :30 Monday afternoon
Olding's Maxwell carried ns to tbe
plant of the California Pine Box &
Lumber Co., where the foreman of
the factory aud Capt. Robie, the
manager showed the coterie a plot of
Japanese clover, something entirely
new and which promises to become an
important forage plant in this section
because of its great nutrition and its
value.as a fertilizer of the soil. This
plan promises to become an import
ant factor in the dairy industry in
Southern Oregon.
The party next went to the fruit
farm of C. Ferdioe, just beyond the
race track where we found the laay
of the farm and a young man pioking
strawberries for the market. This was
auother bona fidle granite land farm
and when Mr. Ferdioe began setting
out grapes and strawberries there a
couple of years ago, be failed to heed
the admonition of these won said "its
only a waste of time and money."
Well, today, there are over 05 per cent
of the grape vines growing, right in
the granite soil and without the aid of
irrigation.
The next place viBited was a luxuri
ant little gardeu owned by H. Hulburt,
over in the granite bills some fonr or
five miles west of town, a veritable
oasis, where fow men might have
thought to have cultivate, tbe soil
with any hope of remuneration.
However, Mr. Hulbert, in his earlier
life, became addloted to the ; news
paper habit and during the spell
learned that perseverance and inten
sity of purpose are the essential in
gredients of excellence in any line.
The application of this same indus
try has transformed a portion of Mr.
Hnlbert's farm, formerly a forest upon
a granite hill, into a prolific garden.
His strawberries, Logau berries, black
berries, Phenomenals, Queen Ann
cherries, grapes and other fruit were
a vivid picture of the fruits of indus
try aud a fertile soil. Mr. Hulbert
was most courteous in giving out in
formation relative to both tbe soil and
culture of fruits. He is a man of
more than average horticultural know
ledge, aud in fact bis experiments
have in fact attracted the attention of
the agricultural department at Wash
ington. His concord grapes last sea-
sou are said to have been the best
grown in the valley.
The next stop landed ns in a se
cluded spot about two miles weet of
town and iu a gulch juet east of a
heavy fill on the Southern Pacific
railroad, at a garden home owned by
M. A. Mitohell.
The Mitchell place it truly a won
der, and beyond the descriptive fancy
of either the poet or novelist. Nestled
between two hills, where nature lias
spread a verdant canopy over a happy
home, is a fertil little fruit firm
of berries, apples, pears and peaches,
of some 20 acres The greater por-
ton of this little farm is on the side
of a granite hill, the incline of
which is greater than the roof of the
. . ; .1. :
average house. Ana again, u"
pretty gardeu home is devoid of
either hoof or horn. All of tbe til
lage is done by hnd and tbe ludustry
expeneded lias frigthened every weed
from the place. Here are grown in
profusion not only pears, apples.
peaches and grapes, but strawberries,
Logan berries, gooseberries and grapes,
betides all sorts of vegetables. The
strawberry patch is ou a side hill to
steep that an angora goat weuld
wink the other eye aud go arouud
rather thao climb it.
After steiug Mr. Mitchell's fruit
farm the most tkeptical will be com
pelled to admit t' at there are at least
a half ruilliou acres of land in Jose
phine coonty susceptible to cultiva
tion, and which will produce fruit of
whatever variety the horticulturist
my choose to plant. In lime past
most people, those who have lived
here lor years as well ae the new
comers, have looked upon granite soil
with derision an have said that It
was n. g-, but the newspaper nuncn
.et.r fair and imoartial investigation
of its tillage and tbe various prodocta
whicb it has raieed are abnndantly
satisfied that it is eqoally as good as
J and and tor general garueu-
ing and small fruits eveo better. None
w bo really mean to grow fruit or
vegetables need fear to buy it. There
are thousands of acres now that may be
bad for lass tban half .what it will be
sold for within tne nexi nv jwm.
WAS GORED BY
A VICIOUS BULL
L. R. Webb Attacked in
Pasture at Deeding.
A PROMINENT MINING NAN
The Timely Arrival of Men and
Doge Only Avert Hi In-
etevnt Deevth.
Waldo, Or., May 17. Special to tbe
Courier. L. R. Webb, one of the most
popular and influential men in the
southern part of Josebine county, was
seriously, if not fatally gored by a
vicioums bull belonging to Thos.
Gilligan, near Deering last evening.
It appears that Mr. Webb was return
ing from his mine and at the time of
the acoident was crossing Gilligans
pasture when the infuriated animal
attacked him.' Had it not been for
the timely arrival of Mr. Gilligan
and a Mr. Albright, who happened to
be near by, and f ought the bull away,
Mr. Webb .would, in all probability
have been gored to death, A physi
cian had not arrived at the time this
message was mailed aid it was im
possible to know how seriously Mr.
Webb had been injured. His many
friends In this vicinity will await
further news of the acoident with in
terest. On inquiry 'Friday forenoon we
learn that the condition of Mr. Webb
is not serious.
MISS ETHEL PALMER AND
PUPILS GIVE RECITAL
Miss Ethel Carolyn Palmer, the
talented young music teacher, present
ed her elder pupils in a splendid piano
recital at Redmen's hall Tuesday even
ing, and was greeted bv a good attend
ance, lne program was good
throughout" is the verdict of competent
critics who attended. The renditions
were much enjoyed and were highly
creditable to both teacher aud pupils.
Following ia the program, which was
asequel to the one givou by her junior
pupils a week ago Tuesday night:
Duo. Country Dance
. Dott Cook, Miss Palmer
Valse de Salon Beatrice Webb
Le Cavalier Fantaitiqu
Leilah Caldwell
Duo. Scotch Ltance....
Louise Fetsch, Mine Palmer
La Revail d'Amour. , . . Lulu MoOahon
Ualetea, Fledermans Walzer....
Bur Lice Falliu
Pegasus Galop . .
bona Cornell, miss Palmer
La Caprice Flavia Hackett
ValeeD Flat La Cosia Mat) gum
Duo. Uauz'inetta
Cora Fetzner, Mis Palmer
Hungarian Rhapsodie No. 13
Alma wukie
In about three weeks Mies Palturr
expects to pait at various points
aboot the state for a month after
which she will spend a month or two
on coast After that she plans on
going to New York City to study
mueic.
$2,000 A DAY TAKEN
OUT ON WILLIAMS CREEK
Harrison Brothers and Othera
Stake Out Dozen Claim in
Past Week.
Exoitement in tbe new goll camp
on Williams creek, a few miles south
east of Grants Pass, recently opened
up by the Harrison Brothers, con
tinues and tbe volume of yellow metal
being takeo out is daily increasing.
Tbe actual facts relative to this new
discovery are almuet unbelievable.
and should the same amount of gold
be taken out in Nevada, Colorado, or
California tbe furor would, ere this,
have surpassed tbe exoitement fol
lowing the discoveries at Gold field
or Tonopah.
Messrs. Frank Johnson, proprietor of
the Laytoa hotel of this city, and bis
brother Dan, who are brothers-in-law
of tbe Harrison brothers, discoverers
of tbe new Eldorado, came in from the
new camp Sunday evening after bar
ing spent a oouple of days at the dig
gings. Both brought in some fabu
lously rich - specimens. Both had
been over the ground ' now being
worked by the Harrison aud Jones
brothers and confirm all the exoiting
reports heretofore brought in from
that section.
r Frank Johnson in a conversation
with a Courier representative Monday
morning, said that the Harrison and
Jons boys, between them are now
taking out from $1000 to 12000 per day
of almost pore gold. Thursday of last
week Robert Harrison, senior mem
ber of the Harrison brothers, took out
one pan of dirt which yielded 1600.
While this is a small pan compared
with some they have already taken
out, it is a sample of almost daily no
ourrenoe aud ougbt to be tuffiolent'to
startle the average miner If not the
general public
Ten or 13 claims have been staked
off in the new camp within the past
week and the indications are that a
big rush will soon follow. Many in.
qniries have already been received
from miners in Nevada, California,
Washington and various towns
throughout the state of Oregon about
the new strike as a result of tbe pub
licity given the matter in the Port
land papers.
FIRE FIEND AGAIN
VISITS GRANTS PASS
The Flour Mill Burned Early
Thursday Morning Entailing
A Loee of $10,000.
A disastrous fire about 8 :30 yester
day morning completely destroyd the
flooring mill in the west part of town,
belonging to II. A. Oorlis, entailing
a loss of $10,000. The fire was well
under way before discovered and the
fire department in spite of strenuous
efforts, was powerless to save the
building.
The mill was erected about two
years ago and after running but a
short time was ;shut down, owing to
a shrinkage in tbe volume of business,
and has since been idle.
The origin of the fire is unknown
bnt it is suppoeed that the building
was ignited by "hobos" wno had
sought shelter there for the night.
It appears there was no Insurance on
the prop rty uud heuce the conflagra
tion results in a total loss. The
plant was fluely equipped, and in fact
is said to have , been one of the best
mills in tbe state.
Mr. Corliss, who was the principal
owner is eugaged in mining operations
on Galice. creek tie was 'Ja the oity
yesterday aud says that the plant will
not be rebuilt.
About 1 :80 Tuesday mornlnir a
fire alarm brought tbe department to
the Chinese laundry on F street. Hie
fire seems to have started in the rear
of the laundry aud the flames got a
good start before it was discovered.
As a result the building, which was
owned by Lou Heberle, was soon de
stroyed, together with a greater
part of the contents. The unoccu
pied frame structure adjoining the
laundry on the south, owned by Roy
Wilson, was bIbo destroyed. The
Wilson building carried 1500 insur
ance. The origin of the fire is un
known.
Presbyterians Call Rev. McLean.
Bethanny Prebstyerian church has
extended a call to Rev. Robert Mo
Lean to become Itt pator, a special
meeting of tbe congregation being
held Thursday evenntug for the pur
pose of voting on hi, name. Rev.
McLean was the first pastor of Beth
any church and continued bis labors
for 11 years, then taking the' pastor
ate of the Third Presbyterian church
at Portland for tbe past six years he
has been engaged in missionary work
in Potto Rico with splendid sucoese,
but the health of bis family necessi
tated bis leaving the work. The
call lias been wired to Mr. McLean at
New York and an answer is expected
shortly. Mr. McLean is one of tbe
most prominent ministers of the de
oomiatloo and Bethany church will
be fortunate to secure bis return to
Great Pass.
City Treasurer's Notice,
There are funds in the city treasury
to redeem all outstanding .warrants
protested to January 8, 1006. Interest
.on same will cease after this date.
Dated at Grants Pass, Ore., May aSd.
im
COL. W. JOHNSON.
I 5-aa t
THE SWEET GIRL
GRABUATES NEXT
Will Be Center of Attrac
tion All Next Week.
THIRTEEN IN THE CLASS
The Rev. Austin J. Hollingvworth
Will Deliver Baccalcvureate
Sermon Sunday Night.
The annual commencement exercises
of the Grants Pass High school will
be held next week, when "the sweet
girl graduate" in all her pristine
glory, will constitute the center of
attraction and command the undivid
ed attention of her numerous friends.
As is usual, tbe few weeks preceding
this annualedocational event have been
fraught with much earnest effort in
tbe matter of preparation for the
finale of the school year,
Tbe class this year reaches the lucky
18 as against eight last year and
four the year proceeding. It is a
olass of which both faculty and the
people of tbe city bave reason to be
proud.
The commenceuient week will open
with tbe baccalaureate sermon Sun
day evening at 8 o'clock at tbe New
man Methodist church, by the Rev.
Austin J. Holliogswortb of tbe
Christian church.
OLASS DAT EXERCISES,
The class Day exercises will'be held
at the opera bouse Tuesday evening,
May 26th at 8:13 and will open with
the following literary and musical
program :
Piano Sole Walti De Concert,
La Costa alanguiu
Salutatory Lora Puuimill
Oration "True Aim of Educa
tion," Randall Hood
Class History. ...... .Alice MoFarland
Prophecy Zora Perry, '10
AQarese to tne otn urade
Pauline Coe 'II
Response Muriel Nidsy, '18
wtiartet Selected
Helen Clarke, Genevieve Patillo,
Lvdia While. Julia Gablralth
Oration "Aristocracy of Brain,"
Harold O'Neill
Claes Poem Helen Clark
Class Will Edward O'Neill
Valedictory Owlen Hughes
Response Lydia White, '09
Piano Uoet "(Jul Vive."
..Elizabeth Davis, Beatrice Webb
The above ', progarm will be imme
diately followed by the preet ntatlon
by the class ot a comedy in two acts
entitled "Mr. Bob," a very pretty
little thing, which promise to be one
of the features of comuienoeuient
week. The oast of characters is as
follows :
CAST OF CHARACTERS.
Philip Royson, Miss Luke's
nephew Geo. Harper
Rupert Brown, clerk of Benson dc
Bensen Herlmrt Uilkev
Jenkins, Miss Rebecca's butler..
George Baker
Rebecca Luke, a maiden lady ... .
Kittie Loughridge
Katharine Rogers, her niece
Bella Letcher
Marion Bryant, Katharine's friend
Georiga Coron
Patty, Mis Rebecca's maid
Olweo Hughes
ACT I. Scene Breakfast room at
Tresham; time, maruing.
Summer Is Here!
So is O'Neill with his large line
of warm weather necessities
PRICE TALKS
House cleaning is oh, that hard laliorioti work which every woman
bate, O'Neill will help you make it eaey with the many things lie has
for tliat purpute-SEK THEM.
Hammooks tlie largest and best selected line ever shown in Grants
Paes.
Refrigerators Hard wood, mineral wool lined, will keep longer aud
food better than any other make.
Window Screen the kind that keep the flie ont.
Screen Door Stained or natural finished, varnished.
Furniture and Car
peu. Linoleums,
Iac Curtains, Por
tieres, Mattresses,
Pillows. Cots, Wall
Paper, Clocks,
Mirrors, Window
B. H. 0 Hi
THE HOUSEFUHNISHEH
Bbsdes, Picture,
Picture Moulding.
ACT IL Scene Same as Act 1;
time, afternoon.
Tbe comedy will be followed by the
olass song and a response by the class
of 1909.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.
The regular oommenotment exercises
will be held at the opera house Fri
day eveuing, May 29th, at 8 -.15, when
the following program will be ren
dered :
Vocal Solo.... Mrs. W. L. Ireland
Superintendent's Report R. R. Turner
Duet Cornet and Clarinet
S F Oheshire, J. L. Wharton .
Address, Pree P. L. Campbell, U. of O.
Uuet Violin and Piano
....W. A. Newell, Victor Newell
Presentation of Diplomas
R. W. Olarke
Chairman School Board
Male Quartet Selected.
. CLASS ROLL.
George Hale Bacher, Helen Clarke,
Georgia Ethel Coron. Herbert James
Gilkey, George Lyle Harper, Raudall
John Hood, Edith Olwen Hughes,
Isabella Letcher, Kittie Loretta
Longhridge, Mary Alice MoFarland,
George Edward O'Neill, Robert
Harold O'Neill, Lora Bell Pomiuill,
President, George L. Harper ; secre
tary, Alioe MoFarland.
Class Colors Blue and Quid.
Flower White Rose and Maiden
Hair Fern.
Motto "Arbeit Offnet das Thur."
HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY.
R. R. Turner, superintendent;
Clifton U. Smith, principal; Nona.
S. Bridge, assistant; Katherjne
Kahley, assistant; H E Mielke, as
sistant. BOARD OF EDUCATION
R. W. Clarke, T. P. Cramer, O. Q.
Anient, Dr. J. G. Smith, H. L. Gil
key aud E. S. VanDyke.
MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES
ARRANGED BY G. A. R.
The Sermon Will Be Delivered
at Newman M, E, Church
Sunday Morning.
Following Is the program as ar
ranged by General Logan Post No. 89
Grand Army of the Republlo for the
observance of Memorial Sunday and
Decoration Day, Memorial service
will be held at the Kewman M. E.
ohuroh at 11 a. m. Sunday morning
when the Rev. F. C, Lovett of the
First Baptist ohuroh Will deliver the
memorial sermon. All members of
the G. A. R. and the Woman's Re
lief Corps, all old soldiers, sailors,
mariners, Spaniah war veterans and
e icon federates are requested to meet
at G. A. R. hall at 10:80 next Sun
day morning, and march from there to
the church In a body.
DECORATION DAY, MAY 80.
Members of the G. A. R. and W.
R. C. will meet in their hall at 1
o'clock p. m. aud march In a body to
the opora house where City Attorney
Clements will deliver the Decoration
Day address. .
After the exercises at the opera
house the members of the Post and of
the Relief Corps will form in line on
Sixth street and march to the Rogue
River bridge where the closing exer
cises will be conducted by the Relief
corps.
The Sohool children and all the
various civio societies of tbe oity, and
exoonfederate soldiers are cordially
invited to participate in these exer
cises.
Scythes aud stone at Hair-Riddle's
Stove and Ranges,
Oranitawara,
Agteware, lei ware,
Woodenware,
Wllloware, Cullry,
Crockery, Lamps,
Glassware, Fancy
China, Uo-CarU,
Baby Carriage.