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About Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927 | View Entire Issue (April 23, 1909)
' f IRRIGATION' NUMBER JX rl 4 SKCOXI) SUCTION VOL. XXV. GRANTS TASS, JOSEPHINE CXH'N TY, OREGON, FRIDAY, APRIL 2 3, 1000. NO. 4 ill) Aa IlM tnriiri nrrniirn r 1IIL UUIUUULL FOR IRRIGATION THE STORY OF THE BIG ENTER PRISE MEN AND MEANS EMPLOYED An Interesting Account of the Pro ject from Its First Inception, and the Difficulties. ' (By M. J. Anderson.) As an eleventh hour contribution to your "Irrigation Edition" I would add a straggling sketch of the main incidents in the struggle to bring ir rigation and prosperity to the Rogue River valley; and "lest we forget" will suggest for the roll of honor, names of your citizens who made an irrigation edition possible. In July, 1908, when the days were so warm that the pleasant even lng breezes failed to cool the city hydrants, and the pure water of the Rogue was hardly attractive as a beverage when not artificially cool ed, ten men met by appointment at the Government Forest offices in this city. Their mission was to take up some one particular thing that? would be of benefit to Grants Pass, tl 1 1. I . Unlit! on n, lain u in oiiieis, carry It before the Commercial Club, fight for its advancement and, without publicly announcing their agree ment, force it to a successful issue. They were to chose their subject and devote their energy to boosting It. A motion to give the body a name was voted down; as was the proposi tion to elect officers. Anyone ac quainted with different individuals would have known they would not hold together If tied by constitution or rules. An organization must be made of leaders and followers, but no member of this body would ac knowledge he was a follower, con- j equently there was no leader. There was no order of business, no member had a pet theory to ad vance or a favorite plan to endorse. They just met to talk over some- . 1. i .. ...... A 1.1.., tlint n-ilirVit ha boosted to the advantage of the community. The meeting was a pleasant one socially, and with smoking, story telling and pleasantry the evening passed along. One veteran news paper man (a ,new comer) in- the crowd who had added not a little to the entertainment with his experl- finnllv nabori fnr n drink of VIIVCO 1 I IIUI I,' ' - .... water, and tasting of the uncooled beverage made a wry face. This ex pression of displeasure was not re ceived with good grace by the others, and one railed his attention to the .fact that it was noted for its purity, that no fevers existed In Grants Pass. Others Joined in praise of the water, and anyone but a contrary old newspaper man would have ac cepted the general verdict that It was good; but not so, he dramatical ly arose and In a tone of deliberation said: "Gentlemen, any man wbo J Our nsw goods have t 5 THIS WEfcK WE RECEIVED NEW CARPETS t NEW ART SQUARES i NEW WALL PAPER : NEW GO CARTS j See these goods before purchasing j t W. conimu. to ..II our lul vr ilotk of VV.II P.p.t t 23 per cnt olHor .Korl ,1m. WEILL t says that water in Its present con dition is fit to drink is not a good citizen. It Is fit for irrigation and nothing else." Then followed a general discussion on Irrigation, Its advantages to the community, the abundance of water in Rogue river for ' that purpose. Our newspaper man had had much experience, oth ers a little. There was not a un animous Irrigation sentiment by any means, however, but it was de termined that this unnamed, un offlcered club would boost for irri gation. Th'Veteran newspaper man was C. G. Coutant, present editor of the Courier? and his name should heac the roll of honor, not only for his suggestion, but for the weeks and months"' of his time and energy devoted gratis for success of the pro ject which will make Grants Pass a city of note, and the surrounding valley a community of prosperous farmers and orchardists. The ten were: C. G. Coutant, H. L. Andrews, J. G. Kiggs. E. L. Churchill, W. B. Snerman, W. W. Walker, E. V. Ingels, O. S. Blanchard, H. M. Guth rie, and the writer. There were no plans made at this time 'except not to discuss the pro ceedings publicly. The same old ten never got again together; but the first sod was turned that -night and some of them have been digging ever since. Mr. Couant enlisted the assist ance of II. 'C. Kinney, now mayor, I. B. Hall, president of the First Na tional Bank, and H. L. Gllkey, cashier of the same Institution, and G. II J Carner; these, with some memljivs of: the original ten, rvnd other j progressive citizens, held fre quent meetings in the directors' room -of the bank, appointed work names' were: C. G. Coutant, J. C. Coutaht and J. G. Rlggs held per manent appointment. Thfli meeting's became so frequent and, being of a semi-secret nature, caused much comment and also con siderable outside criticism, as it had become generally known that some kind of an irrigation scheme was be ing planned, and the public thought Itself pjured The i public' will never know of the many plans suggested, discussed and turned down a3 impracticable. How irrigation districts, govern ment reclamation projects, plans to purchase lands to be deeded to priv ate corporations as an inducement to undertake the work; how legal obstacles were found to exist, how water rights, once for sale reason ably, suddenly took on great value, how railroad holdings Interfered and selfish Interests prevented ac tion. Hew can realize the disappoint ments and headaches that fell to the lot of these men while the chronic knocker kept busy whittling away the confidence of the public in as loyal aj body of men as ever worked unselflBhly for the benefit of a community. At last a committee of six wa3 ap pointed to crystalize the plans and get the farmers interested. The names were: C. G. Coutant, J. C. Rlggs, H. L. Gllkey. H. C. Kinney, L. B. Hall, 0. S. Blanchard. Again obstacles of all kinds arose; rival Irrigation projects, monopolies In power and water properties began to fear opposition and got busy with promises to do things that they should have done long ago. Some condemned the system of semi-secret commenced to arrive " gioHousefurnlsher S"Uth bide of Railroad on G St. X meetings, others ridiculed the idea of a popular meeting anything to defeat the plans. On September 2 a meeting of farmers was called at the Commer cial Club rooms and six farmers added to the committee: Geo. Sabin, R. Thomas, G. A. Hamilton, John Christie, E. E. Blanchard. L. D. Allen, and also by courtesy, the writer was added making "13" (sup posed to be an unlucky number), and Mr. Gilkey, pretending there was enough to contend with without tempting fate with a "hoodoo," had Mr. G. II. Carner added, making a committee of 14. The hoodoo must have effectually conquered as Mr. Carner has done nothing but fight for irrigation, and has taken per sonal charge of the canal building at the sacrifice of his own business Interests. A committee of 14 is generally too unwieldy to do business; but It was not so in this case. The minor ity (as is not unusually the case) did the work; but, (as is not usual ly the case) every member backed the workers, and the earnestness, en thusiasm and confidence of ultimate success shown by these men won the public, and silenced the knocker. The U. S. Reclamation Service was called upon for an engineer to look over the ground and A. P. I Stover was sent here and pronounced , any of several plans feasible A mass ! meeting was called at the Opera house on October 28. To this date j all expense of the several months' I hard work had been met by the men i doing the work without claim or ex- j pectation of reimbursement. ! The meeting at the Opera house was a most remarkable gathering. Farmers, bankers, mechanics, mer-1 chants, professional men and clerks crowded the building, each eager to do his share. It was a meeting that t would have been impossible a month previous, and was the result of a campaign seldom equalled. i When Mr. Coutant, as chairman, called the meeting to order, and Mr. Gllkey briefly stated that the com mittee had gone Its length, that funds were necessary to secure an engineer to make survey and estim ate of cost; that he and his fellow workers desired to incorporate under the state law with a capital of $10, 000, bo they could legally do busi ness, an endless string of people in all walks of life came forward and subscribed to the stock until the $10,000 was subscribed or pledged in this meeting; and then elected nine members of the board of direc tors from the workers, members of the original committee. It was an en- j dorsement of which men should be i proud, and doubtless did spur them ; on to overcome greater obstacles. This new and present board Is: Directors, H. G. Kinney, R. Thomas, C. G. Coutant, O. S. Blanchard, H. L. Gllkey, G. A. Hamilton, E. E. Blanchard. G. H. Carner. J. C. RlggB. This board elected the following officers: H. L. Gllkey, j G. Rlggs, secretary. I have stated the committee was almoBt In continual session. This was also true of the new board of directors. Incorporation papers were filed, a competent engineer secured, surveys and levels run, plats mHe of every poslble source of supply, dams, and dam sites were examined, condi tion, cost and value reported In full. When nil possible data was In, the board ai"olrted three of their mem bers R committee with full power to act, subject to approval of the Btork rnMers. Tfl,B n-n8 sranted unanim ously. Thh committee was: O. II. Carner, H. C. Kinney, E. E. Blanch ard. The result Is well known. The Golden Drift Mining Co. and Anient Bros' proposition to furnish water was accepted. The capital stock In creased to $75,000 to build the ditches, nnd the necessary money subscribed very simple and easy when one tells about It, but few real ize the numberless propositions that were considered, the legal tangles to be overcome, the many future Interim- to be Kiiurdi'd, the Intricate plans to go over that Justice an well jib water be given to each user, the responsibility and strain that In up on every honest man when acting an agent for his fellows In such an Im portant matter. It would lie bard Id v l't any one or more men who are entitled to iiio.t credit. Jut now I have In mind O. S. Bln.ulnird, the attorney, wh" drew up (tin legal document GREAT WORK OF LADIES' AUXILIARY FIRST YKAR OF ORGANIZATION' ENDS IN MAY MEMBERSHIP OF OYER 164 Rose Festival Leads to Other Import ant Work Rcttctincitt of City Parks. The tirst year in the history of the Ladles' Auxiliary closes in May. The organization was effected through the efforts of Mr. H. L. Andrews, then secretary of the Commercial Club, Its purpose being to supple ment efforts of and cooperate with the work of the Commercial Club. An active woman's organization Is always a necessary adjunct to the life of a town and the women of Grants Pass needed only the sug gestion to complete the organization. The Auxiliary began Its career with Mrs. C. L. Clevengor as presi dent, and too much cannot be said of the able manner in which she has filled the position. It was one that called for exceptional ability, for there were many discouragements to encounter. As the constitution pro vided for no dues, the body began work with an empty treasury. The season of the year, because of the heat, was not conducive to nn en thusiastic attendance, and often the outlook seemed unpromising. Yet, with all the drawbacks, by unfailing faith, tact and patience of the presi dent and the hearty enthusiasm of trier few beginners, the first annivers ary finds the club with a strong or ganization, a membership of one hundred and fifty-four nnd a record of good deeds behind It. The first action undertaken -was the giving of a rose festival, and ex actly one month from the date of that first meeting called by Mr. Andrews to explain what a ladles' auxiliary was, there was held In the big skating rink a festival of roses that would have done credit to any place. Grants Pass awoke that night to the fact that Southern Oregon can produce roses the equal of any on the Pacific Coast and on that oc casion was born the zeal to make of Grants Pass the Rose City of Southern Oregon. Before the adjournment for the summer vacation, through August and September, plans were taken for parking the grounds about the rall rool station. Though many hin drances came up to discourage the project. Its successful realization Is already evident to every passerby. In tin level parking and the abundance and ably served on the board and gave much of his time to the free fse of the company; and again, there was J. 0. Rlggs, the able sec retary, who almost gave up his own business for weeks at a time to serve the Irrigation cause. It goes without saying that President Gllkey, as the flnnnclul head and general man ager did the work of two or three men for severnl weeks and months and Is still devoting the most of his (hue to the proje't. But why men tion Individuals where every man was an earnost worker. What Is their reward? Some will ue watpr on their lands for which they will pay Just the same as he whose name appears only on tho stock books. Some will gain bby ad vance In property values Just the same as ho who had no time or money to give to such an enterprise, and was content ns things were. Fortunately, the men I have been talking about never work for praise or reward; They feel nmply repaid by being of use to their romninnlty, They tire of tho class that, have pushed American civilization and en terprise and moved fluidity the center of population to the went. Kn' h men are seldom rich In world ly i:. rlch'-n are too often cal culated, but they should be rich In tin- goodwill of setihrK In thin val ley, and an we reap the harvest they have sown their tuinie and unselfish ell'i.llS fchouM IIOl he fill ;;o!e). of hardy young trees already plant ed lies the promise of good things to come, of deep shades, of cool breezes and the fragance of flowers In a place which formerly has been dreaded because of its scorching sun.' The efforts to beautify the school grounds and church yards, and also to secure the planting of more roses, vines and trees on residence prop erty has been the special object of the spring's activity. The town was canvassed with the result that nearly a thousand rose bushes, several hun dred vines and many Bhade trees have been planted through the city this season. The rose bushes having two-year-old roots will bloom this summer, an immediate and constant witness to the enterprise of the Civic Improvement committee and its helpers. The school children have also been Interested In the de velopment of the "City Beautiful," and with the sweet pea seeds given by the Auxiliary each child has his own little garden to add to the beau ty of the whole. Two different sources have sup plied the funds for all this work, the rose festival and the generous gift of Mrs. Gunnell, who offered the ladles one-half the proceeds from her recital. At no time has the work hung back for want of money, but It lias gone forward steadily, for the organization be lieved" the value of their undertaking would speak for itself and the where withal would come. One public reception has been given during the year. This was especially designed as a welcome to the many strangers who have set tled among us In the last months. More social work will be done In the future as the new rooms will render this more possible. The new administration will open with large promise. The pioneer work of organizing and of establish ing the club as a regular thing in the community has been done. New comerB from other states are bring ing to us fresh vigor, new lines of and new sources for funds are be ing offered. The ladles have appre ciated In the past the Interest and co-operation of the citizens and will rely on the same for its success In the future. WORK ON THE RAILROAD GROUNDS The improvement of tho railroad grounds by the Ladles' Auxiliary Is being carried forward and tree planting has been commenced. It Is the Intention of the ladles to have a double row of elm trees planted around the entire plat on both sides of Sixth street. The first row of elms Is three feet from the outside boundary and the second row of elms IB feet Inside, A thick hedge of evergreen will be planted along the tracks to hide the inartistic box and flat cars. The park on the west side of Sixth street is to bo 80x300 feet, within which will bo a flower gar den nearly 80 feet square In which will be beds of blooming plants and a rose garden which will be sur rounded by a hedge with three en trances, to the north, east and west. Beyond will be a spacious lawn. Within the enclosure will bo groups of shrubs native to Josephine county. On the east side of Sixth street the area of park Is about 75x140 feet In the center of which will be pond lilies and other aquatic plants. The park in which the band stand Is located Is 101x171 feet and will be a novelty rose garden under the direction of W. H. Love, who ar rived from Wooster, Ohio, last week, and for the past five years has been a practical florist, having had charge of the conservatories of the soldiers' home at Danville, III. In tho center of the west end of the park will be a flO-foot rose bed In the center of which will be a sun dial. In th eastern part will be clumps of Hho dodendrons and Azaleas, and the whole park surrounded with a hedge of prlvlt. The expense of the Improvements of theso grounds will be $1000 or more, which the Ladles' Auxiliary have undertaken to raise, and when tlm Ladles' Auxiliary start Into any i enterprise It. Is nin'e to he a Hucicm Ladli-s' Hoik at Ciamer firoi. FROST EXPERIMENTS BY PROFESSOR VINCENT Tonnx-raliire of a Three-Acre Or chard Raised Three Degrees By Burning Oil. Prof. C. C. Vincent, assistant hor ticulturist of the Oregon Agricultur al College at Corvallls, true to his promise made to the fruit growers on his visit to this place some two or three weeks ago, arrived Wednesday evening to conduct frost experiments in Binudglug for tho protection of orchards. Wednesday ho spent from 11 o'clock in the evening till 7:30 In the Elsman orchard, now owned by Shank & Hall, closely observing tho temperature and tho changes wrought by the use of the Fresno pots. An area of three acres was covered according to the rule of 75 pots to the ncre, and in each pot was nearly a gallon of crude oil, which was burning from about 11:30 until morning. The burning oil makes a very dense, black smoke which forms a blanket of smoke over the orchard and prevents the radiation of heat which Is retained within tho area and thus reducing the temperature to such an extent as to nrevont frosts. Close observation of ther mometers placed at various points within the three-ncre spnee and also at some distance from the burning pots showed a vnrlatlon in tho tem perature of three degrees, ths urea affected by the smoke registering higher than that not so affected. It was expected that Mr. Malbocnf. of the Southern Pacific romonny. would he hero to' witness tho experi ments, but was unablo to ntten I. He may bo here Intoi- and, If so, Mr. Vin cent will arrange to come and con duct other experiments of th3 sumo nature. The Southern Pacific company has donated 1500 gallons of oil for tilo use of the members of tho Rogue River Fruit Exchange, to bo used for the purpose of conducting frost ex periments, the only stipulation be ing that they should be conducted nder the direction (of the Agricul tural college. , Messrs. Shank & llall havo been for a number of nights past smudg ing with wood fires by first pouring coal oil on the piles In sufficient inantltles to properly Ignite tho vhole mass and then covering with lamp saw dust, thus making a heavy smoke. By this means and the uso of tho oil pots, they have prevented ny damage by frosts this season. ANOTHER ENTERPRISE STARTED IN THE CITY James Trimble has just Installed a hydraulic tire setter, hand power. It Is a most wonderful device for cold tire setting, and the public Is Invited to call and Inspect It. The old cold tire setter hns been discard ed and patrons will hereafter not only have their work done quicker, but more satisfactorily. Mr. Trimble Informs us the addition to his pres-- ent shops will be finished next week, when three departments will be con ducted. Four Jobbing furnaces will bo In operation, and a customer can have the woodwork for his wagon or carriage shaped at the same time the other departments are making ready tho Iron work or shoeing tho ' horses. The wagon shop at the rear of the new building will ho flttod out with modem equipment, and will ho In charge of A. Coburn, who bos re cently arrived from New York. Mr. Trlmblo has shown a progres sive spirit In enlarging his establish ment nnd there la no question but the public will thoroughly appreci ate It. His force of five men will be the most expert In their respective branches and tho proprietor wns In earnest when he Informed the re porter that he would continue his policy of satisfying each and every customer. Don't fall to bco the hydraulic cob! tiro setter. It's a revelation. Lust Sunday the local baseball team went to Jacksonville, where they met defeat nt the hnndn of the Jacksonville bunch In a score of 8 to 2. Our boys account, for tho ni'l detit by tho fact that they were short hnnded, hnvlni several fnnxnorlrtirort play e; k ,.,