Gateway to The Oregon Caves
Illinois Valley News
A LIVE WIRE NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE ILLINOIS VALLEY AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS
Volume IU No.-âfrJ
Villair Mill
Will Start
Sawing Soon
In the spring of 1931 J. J.,Vil
lair and Archie E. Anderson en
tered into a partnership under the
name of Villair & Anderson, for
the purpose of sawing Ponderosa
and Sugar pine lumber principal
ly-
The average cut for the next
six years was around five million
feet of lumber per year, varying
with market conditions and NRA
limitations, but averaging that
much lumber altogether. This tim
ber was purchased from local
owners and some outside people
who had timber claims in this vi
cinity.
Good fortune attended these op
erations from the standpoint of
few accidents, no major ones, and
only one small fire at the mill. Six-
fire at the mill. An everage of six
ty men are employed each season.
The mill’s operation was about
five to six months, but the move
ment of lumber into Grants Pass
for shipment and local box fac
tory use runs well into the whole
year.
In March of 1938 A. E. Ander
son sold his interests to J. J. and
Mabel R. Villair thus forming the
D.B.A.Villair Lumber Co. and dur
ing the last season the mill cut
some five million and one-half
feet of lunmber.
The present season of 1939 has
been slow in opening up and the
mill is late in starting to saw.
However, with timber purchases
up Althouse creek it looks like
the usual amount of timber will
be cut during the summer. The
company operates its own logging
operations, as well as sawmill
plant.
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o-------------
Cave Junction, Oregon. Thursday, May <1939
Student Activities
At Kerby High
Votes were cast on W’ednesday
for the student body officers for
the coming year, resulting in the
election of Bud Brooks as presi
dent; Kenneth Morrison as vice-
president and Jeanne Villair as
secretary-treasurer.
—o—
The junior-senior prom, a much
looked for event of the school year
is being held at the gymnasium on
Saturday evening. Each member of
the two classes invites a friend
thus making an interesting group
for dancing. The junior class has
charge of arrangements and deco
rations.
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Wedding Anniversary
Celebrated Last Friday
Mrs. Ralph T. Baumberger was
a charming hostess of last Friday
evening when she entertained a
group of friends at her spacious
home, honoring Mr. and Mrs. H.
T. Baumberger, Sr., who were
celebrating their 41st wedding an
niversary.
The rooms were attractively de
corated with flowers and boquets
of the season’s beautiful native
wild flowers. During the evening
moving pictures were shown and
later the guests were served a
sumptuous luncheon buffet style.
The following guests were pres
ent: Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Baumber
ger, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Wil
ber, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Boyd, Mr.
and Mrs. Eddie Martin, Mr. and
Mrs. M. C. Athey and Mr. and
Mrs. Ralph Baumberger.
o
Last Wednesday evening a num
ber of friends gathered at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. J. P Chism
of Ye Rustic Inn on the Redwoods
highway to help celebrate three
happy events.
Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Smith were
guests at a dinner the occasion be-
ing the birthday of Mr. Smith. The
second event was the wedding an
niversary of Mr. and Mrs. Chism,
who were married in Cave Junc
tion just one year ago and also be
came owners of Ye Rustic Inn.
Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Lawson,
former owners of the camp, are
now building their new home on
the Rogue river near Grants Pass,
and this occasion was also in fare
well to their departure from the '
valley.
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The Grants Pass Courier came
in for considerable recognition re
cently, when the management was
awarded a placque for outstanding
merchandising cooperation in the
northwest in connection with the
fall campaign of a well known bis
cuit company. The award was giv
en by Botsford, Constantine &
Gardner advertising counselors of
Portland, Oregon, and the silver
placque was presented to A. E.
Voorhies while in Portland recent
ly-
Noble Stanton, advertising man
ager of the Courier was also re
cognized recently in Portland,
when he was made president of the
advertising managers department
of the Oregon Newspaper Publish
ers’ association, at the spring
meeting held in the Multnomah
hotel.
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Recent purchase of the Owl cafe New Orchestra Pleases
by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Whitehead, Dancers at Legion Hall
completes a deal entered into last
—
The last dance given by the
year when George L. Martin leased
the Owl to them with the privilege American Legion was voted one of
of purchasing at the end of the I the best by those who attendej.
The new orchestra was a big
lease.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead are too improvement over the old one and
well known in the valley and need the management says there will
no introduction, and their many be five pieces this Saturday with
friends wish them every success the assurance of that number in
as the new owners of this popu the future if the attendance war-
' rants it.
lar resort.
Prizes will be given away as
Mrs. Whitehead will still have
charge of the restaurant while Jiin usual except that there will be a
handles the beverage end. Some grand prize this week for the lucky
new improvements are being con lady. The prize is on display at the
templated in the near future for Cave City Dress shop. See this
the restaurant part of the resort. prize and then win it.
— - ■ —o ■
Mrs. Herb Watts has been quite
New Confectionery
ill with flu the past week.
Store to Start Here
About the first of June, Sam
uel Smith, proprietor of the Cave
I City Drug store will open a new
. confectionery store in the building
Fridays—Every 2nd and 4th Fri i formerly occupied by the drug
day, Kerby Girl Scouts meet at I store.
the Kerby Library.
Mr. Smith secured a lease on
Every Monday—Boy Scouts meet the building from Elwood Hussey
in Legion hall, Cave Junction. and he expects to start working
Ralph Huber, Scout Master.
on the interior decorating and
Monday, May 15—Chamber of putting in necessary fixtures next
Commerce meeting at Log Cab week, and hopes to be able to open
the new store the first of June.
in hotel in Selma at 8:30 p. m.
I COMING EVENTS j
Deer Creek
Valley Shows
Grants Pass Courier
Wins Agency Award
B~- ........................................»..........»..—3
Kerby News Notes
of General Interest
Maxene Patrick was taken sud
denly ill while at school Monday,
I and had to be taken home. It is
hoped she will soon be able to re
turn to school. Maxene is a mem
ber of the senior class.
Triple Party Given for
Residents of the Valley
Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead
Purchase Owl Cafe
Price 5 Cents
My Mother
Who fed me from her gentle breast
And hushed me in her arms to rest,
And on my cheek sweet kisses pressed?
My Mother.
When sleep forsook my open eye
Who was it sung sweet lullabye
And rocked me that I should not cry?
My Mother.
!
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Who sat and watched my infant head
When sleeping in my cradle bed
And tears of sweet affection shed?
My Mother.
When pain and sickness made me cry
Who gazed upon my heavy eye
And wept, for fear that I should die?
My Mother.
Who taught my infant lips to pray
To love God’s holy word and day
And walk in wisdom’s pleasant way?
My Mother.
•
And can I ever cease to be
Affectionate and kind to thee
Who was so very kind to me?
My Mother.
Oh, No, the thought I cannot bear
And if God please my life to spare
I hope I shall reward they care—
My Mother.
,
Jane Taylor.
CHAMBER OF
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i
ed. They are now working in co
operation with Copco to get the
COMMERCE
line extended up the Caves high
ACTIVITIES
way with every chance of succeed
I ing. We are informed that the line
Considerable work was accom I will be extended this year.
When the Redwood Empire In
plished by the Illinois Valley
Chamber of Commerce during the formation girls made their trip
past year. Much work was done through Josephine county, the
that the chamber gets little credit chamber helped greet them and
for, but nevertheless it had a attended the banquet at the Caves
Their
wholesome effect on a lot of ac Chateau in the evening.
tivity that perhaps would not have work in this respect was outstand
succeeded if it had not been for ing and helped give the girls the
wonderful reception they received
the chamber.
Samuel Smith was elected pres- while here.
The registration bureau is an
dent at the beginning of the new
year and Amy Hussey, secretary other chamber activity that does
considerable in giving publicity to
and W. M. Wasmond, treasurer.
Among some of the most im the valley and the Caves. Last year
portant things the chamber helped Cave Junction was the second reg-
with was the extension of the elec istrating bureau in the state. The
tric light line to O'Brien. The work
value of this advertising cannot
of the chamber in this respect was
outstanding and was a material be under estimated.
factor in getting the line complet
(Continued on Pag* Eight)
The Illinois Valley Teachers as
sociation held their last meeting
of the year at the high school
building on Tuesday evening.
Mrs. Lola Peterson in charge of
business session, urged the teach
ers to finish the plans for the
eighth grade graduation exer
cises which will be held on Mon
day evening, May 15th. Neil Al
len, attorney of Grants Pass has
been chosen to give the ad
dress, teachers anil members of
the graduation class will meet at
the high school gymnasium on
Monday for practice and final ar-
rngments. The execises to begin
at 8 p. m. A program of music
and readings will also be furnish
ed by the class and others as well
as awards and certificates being
granted.
After discussions were finished
concerning the graduation, the
group decided that the Illinois
Valley Teachers association was of
such value to them that it would
be continued during the coming
school year and the first meet
ing would be held early in Octo
ber.
The association was organiz
ed two years ago by Principal of
the high school, F. W. Jones for
the purpose of keeping teachers
in touch with each other socially
and to keep familiar with school
problems of state and county.
Considerable attention was paid
this year to legislation affecting
teachers and school systems.
After the business meeting the
teachers of the Kerby grade school
served ice cream and wafers at
small tables.
Present for the evening were:
Mrs. Susan Haines, Mrs. Lorna
Byne, Miss Phyllis Crouse, Mrs.
Martha Holland, Mrs. Marjorie
Varner, Miss Alvenia Connell,
Mrs. Thelma Wilson, Merle Farm
er, Mr. and Mrs. Ferd Jones, Mr.
and Mrs. Alva Laws, Miss Laverne
Roberson, Mrs. Lola Peterson,
Mrs. Myrtle Walton, Miss Lois
Speaker, Miss Ruby lliganboth-
am. Miss Ila Mae Higanbotham.
Members of the American Le
gion and Legion Auxiliary, on
Tuesday visited each of the grade
schools in the Union high school
district for the purpose of giving
tests to eighth grade students.
The purpose of these tests is to
determine the outstanding student
of the district, this student to re
ceive the plaque awarded by the
legion. This award is given on
the basis of scholarship, courage,
honor, leadership and service.
Thirty-two eighth grades pupils
took the test. Members of - the I<e
gion and Auxiliary who gave the
test were: Les Henry Sr., Wm.
McLean, Mrs. W’m. Martindale,
Mrs. Millie Trefethen, Mrs. Cecil
Slack, Mrs. Emily Kellert. Mrs.
Marie White, Mrs. Joy Badden,
Mrs. Blake Miller. The results of
the tests will be known in a few
days and the plaque will be award
ed at the eighth grade graduation
on Monday, May 15.
—o—
Mr. and Mrs. Bert Adams who
have a mine on Canyon creek are
in Kerby for a short stay at their
home and to look after business
interests.
F. W. Cooper of Kerby and Mr.
Wood of Grants Pass left the first
of the week for southern Califor
nia to bring back a truck load of
fruits and vegetables. Mr. Cooper
has a fruits and vegetable stand
in Kerby.
Don Morrison left Monday for
Yreka, California, on a business
trip.
A. K. CASS ELECTED
BY SHRINE CLUB
A. K. Cass of Grants Pass was
elected president of Bill Day
Shrine club Friday noon at a
luncheon meeting held in the Red
woods hotel.
Other officers elected were:
Leonard B Mayfield, vice presi
dent; and Rex Barnett secretary
treasurer. Case succeeds L. W.
Wipperman.
Development
By C. H. Brook*
Happenings of the past year
have brought about some changes
and additions toward development
of Deer Creek valley. Logging and
mill operations have been slowed
down to a great extent for this
present season on account of low
prices on the lumber market. There
are seven mills in this immediate
vicinity with two of the larger
mills being at a standstill, one of
the larger mills running full time
and two only part time, with two
smaller mills running most of the
time. These two smaller mills
have been built during the past
year.
Mining seems to be about the
same for the past few years. It is
not an unusual sight to see gold
being weighed out in exchange
for groceries and supplies at Lew
Hammer's store in Selma. In addi
tion to this Mr. Hammer'« truck
loaded with miners supplies makes
regular weekly trips down Deer
Creek and the Illinois river and
is met by the miners who exchange
their precious findings for their
necessities of life. It is believed
this is the only place in the Uni
ted States this method of trading
is practiced to any great extent.
The production of beef cattle
is slowly giving way to the dairy
industry, there being not near aa
much beef cattle produced as was
in past years, but dairying has
expended to such an extent, that
the income to the valley growers
and producers is probably near
the same.
Turkey and poultry raising has
not varied much in the past year,
however, there is not nearly as
many turkeys produced as was
four or five years ago.
General farming has not exper
ienced a great deal of change ex
cept several of the farms are be
ing equipped with more modern
methods and naturally with more
modern machinery the farming is
being unproved. Irrigation by the
sprinkler system seems to be fine
of the chief topics of discussion
and is hoped before long to see
sprinkler irrigation in reality on
many farms.
The farming industry of the val
ley is backed by a strong active
grange. Deer Creek grange hall
has been greatly improved during
the past year by the addition of a
largo dining room and re-arrang
ing the main hall so it is much
larger to accommodate the large
gathering*. The grange takes an
active interest in the young people
of the valley and usually spon
sors a 4 -H club summer school
scholarship and a few months ago
organized juveniles, this being the
first and only juvenile grange in
the county. This organization of
little folks is very ably lead by a
worthy matron and it is surprising
to see the improvement in these
youngsters and the splendid way
in which they shoulder their re
sponsibilities.
With the cooperation of the
grange and the generous heart of
Wm. P. Greiner of the Gold
Canyon Pony Ranch, Deer Creek
high school pupils are being trans
ported to and from Kerby Union
high school which is a wonderful
improvement over former methods
of transportation. Mr. Greiner
who owns and conducts the Gold
Canyon Pony ranch home for boys
has stated he expects to have
about 50 boys here for the sum
mer season. This boys home is a
recent addition to our community
and is being made better and larg
er day by day with the addition
of better buildings, dormitories,
etc.
During the past year two homes
have been destroyed by fire, the
Ernest Woodcock home being a to-
tai loss of house and contents and
the Lew Hammer home, the house
being completely destroyed but
most of the contents being saved-