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About The gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925 | View Entire Issue (April 19, 1917)
Oregnn Historical Societr 207-:st. 7 Gaze MES susanta to a tmadf VOL 34, NO. 4. HEPPNER, OREGON, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1917. SUBSCRIPTION, $1.50 PER YEAR VALLEY HAM WRITES OF EAST. OREGON Willamette Valley Not to Compare With Section This Side of Monn.. tains, gays Mathew Gibson. ! , (Silvertoo Tribune) Editor Tribune: kindly give me pace in your valuable medium (or a brief account of my trip to Eastern Oregon. This is not as complete as It might be had I taken notes as I traveled over this section on this, my first, trip. In company with one of my neigh bors, H. E. King, we left home on Saturday, March S, and got to Port land that evening. At 7:30 next morning we boarded the O-W. R. ft N. and proceeded up the south side of the Columbia river. To any one who admires the grandeur of nature this is a most excellent trip, as It pre sents to the windows of the soul many Interesting sights not soon to be forgotten and perhaps mose espec ially at this time of year, as the lofty peaks that seemed , to predominate, looked more majestic in their robes of white. We arrived at Heppner Junction about 2 p. m. Here we flinniuul tnn mlnlttaa fnp llinnh and tin time proceeded to Morgan, where w,e stopped for a few days. The country between Heppner Junction and Mor gan, especially along the railroad track, is a very fertile and productive valley, ranging in width from one to three miles. In this valley are raised Immense crops of alfalfa, peaches, ' onions and other vegetable crops, also Immense herds tot cattle and flocks of sheep that are being win tered and fattened for market. I -was told that one man thinned out Ills flock of sheep and sold "only" 2000 head at $10 per head, netting 14m 120)000, and this was only a part of his floek.; ' i Emerging from this valley and go ing up over the ridge, on either side we behold vast and seemingly end less tracts of wheat: land that have netted the ranchers of that section a mall fortune in last . year's wheat crop. V:? At the little station of Morgan. Morrow" county, there are now U storage over 60,000 sacks of wheat averaging 140 pounds per sack, and the writer was told this was grown within a radius of five miles. A large per cent of this wheat Is stored in open warehouses, or rather plat forms, and is exposed to all the win ter's storms, and is dry and sound despite the snow. About four miles up the railroad track is another open platform, upon which is piled a large quantity of wheat, also exposed to winter's storms and still in a condi tion for milling purposes. From here we went to lone, where we re mained about two days. At this place, Hke the two former, were more warehouses filled to capacity with wheat. We were told that 360,000 wheat sacks were distributed among the farmers in that immediate vicin ity each year. The land in this vicin ity, like that at Morgan, is somewhat of a volcanic ash and seems especially adapted to wheat growing, as Is seen by the number of sacks put out. One strange sight that greets the eye of a farmer from the valley Is the fact that the farmers haul their barn yard manure out and dump it on rock plies instead of putting it on the land. They stated to the writer that the manure had a tendency to burn the land and absorb the moisture that might be conserved therein. An other rather strange sight was the rock formation on either side of the railroad track. Here can be seen .rocks almost square, varying in size from six Inches to 30 inches, stand ing on end and laying together in rows as though put there by human hands and , might lntflte a vivid im agination that at one time it might liave been a wall or part of ancient buildings. . There is no timber for fuel pur poses within a radius of 30 miles, "but old fir can be delivered there by rail for $5 to $6.60 per cord. lone Is a hustling business town, containing one bank, a large mod ern, up-to-date hotel, a large graded school, where several teachers are employed, -several stores and imple ment houses, lawyers and hustling real estate agents. From here we made extensive trips over some fine farming country, going first to a Swedish settlement, where we were dhown over the ranch of a Swedish farmer who desired to retire from terming on account of old age, and whose family consisted of two charm j....horo hnth school teachers, and at present engaged in that vo cation. TMS genuemau w lng about 800 acres and, had to rely hoin most of the time. Wages in that part about $40 per month in winter auu "i V . i...,Dt aafa in. and helD IS not " InohiB flven at that. In this sec tion we met a Mr. Wttzel from Salem prairie! who is farming about 1000 acres and annually is adding a neat amountt o his bank account. At a hort distance from here is the ranch .jrt anrt W. C. WlnSlOW ot Salem, who received $10,000 as their share ot last seasons n crop off of 1000 acres of land. ri h nra returned to town, where we made the acquaintance of Mr. Benedict, owner oi one in mc finest ranches in that section, known as the "Diamond T" ranch. This place contains about 1400 acres, from which the owner sold about $20,000 worth of wheat the past sea son. Mr. Benedict gave us an invi tation to go home with him and have lunch and be would show us some farming country. We accepted his invitation and went to his home. He Is now finishing a' $4000 residence. After dinner our kind host made good his promise and showed us over a large portion of western Morrow j county and eastern Qilliam county, where a large acreage of fine land Is lying idle for lack of farmers to cul tivate the land. The large tracts are owned by syndicates who are hold ing it for speculative purposes. Mr. Benedict informed us that the main reason why that county is not more thickly settled was on account of lack of water in former years, as every one had to haul water for all pur poses; but this difficulty has been re moved, as mast of the farmers now have bored wells, varying in depth from ISO to 400 feet, and which fur nish an endless supply of water. Mr. Benedict is well equipped for farm ing, as he owns all kinds of machin ery from a plow to a combined har vester, also some 60 or (0 head of horses and mules. ! There is another farmer of whom mention should be made Mr. Pal mateer, brother of our fellow towns man, Henry Palmateer. The gen tleman of whom I write moved into that country seventeen years ago with $15.10 and two old skates (you know what they are). Mr. Palma teer went In debt for 400 acres of land and machinery sufficient to work it. After three years' farming he paid off his 400-acre ranch and his machinery. Today he owns 800 acres of fine land, has a large and modern barn, a large, two-story res idence that would rival any In the valley, a large machinery shed filled with all kinds of machinery, owns a complete equipment of everything in that line from a garden cultivator to a threshing machine, a large bunch of good work horses and a bank ac count sufficient to buy another 800 acre ranch. Although we are not lately from Missouri, show us a val ley farmer who has accomplished so much in the same time. Farming in the sections we trav eled over is carried on much more economically than . In the valley. There they plow and sow from 40 to 50 pounds of wheat to an acre. Dur ing harvesting it is estimated" that enough wheat scatters out for a sec ond era, sad fell that is MCsawn U to dise An land -and It proditoas a, good crop, even though not a pound bas been sown the second year. Land in these sections range in price from $12.50 to $30 per acre. We will now leave these lands for a short time and proceed homeward. Before doing so, let us not forget to state that Morgan contains many comfortable dwellings, a large mer chandise and implement store, post office, a large graded school under the supervision of Miss Echo Olthens of Estaeada. Clackamas county, a large dance hall and I. O. O. F. hall, and most of the men of this place and surrounding country belong to the "chain gang." When leaving there the sun shone bright and the roads in most places were dry and dusty. Now If we should take some of our eastern Ore gon neighbors for a drive on some of our (?) muddy roads and he should Incidentally inquire the value of good tillable land adjoining these roads, it would be necessary for us to stand him up against a post and examine his heart before telling him the price ranged from $100 per acre up, and then you would undoubtedly notice him search Ills pocKets to see it ne still retained his return ticket to take him back to the land of sun shine and waving wheat fields. The writer is so favorably impressed with that country that he anticipates tak ing another trip before harvest. MATTHEW GIBSON, Shaw, Oregon. MORGAN NEWS. D. I. Johnson of Oresham Is back in qur midst again. Lera Qlthens spent the week end with her parents In Heppner. Mrs. Shurte and Mr. Plttman vis ited the Morgan school on Tuesday. The boys and girls of the Morgan school are very busy putting up play apparatus. The educational meeting which was held at Morgan April 16 was a very successful affair. Many people throughout the country attended. They all appeared to enjoy the inter esting talks given by Mrs. Shurte and Mr. Plttman. The following pro gram was rendered: Song, America, all participating; recitation by Ellen Ely; readtng by David Ely; "Our Schools and How to Improve Them," by Echo Olthens; song "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," all participat ing; song by four children; "Why I am Proud of My Country," George Ely; recitation, Gussie Llndstrom; song, "My Dream of the U. S. A.," 3 children ; talk by Mrs. Shurte and ad dress by Mr. Plttman; "Star Spangled Banner," all participating. HOCK SPRINGS COAIj. I now have on hand a good supply of Rock Sprnlgs lump coal and can make prompt deliveries to any part of Heppner. Will also be prepared to furnish either cord or slab wood in any quantities desired. It will be my aim to give complete satisfaction in the fuel business to the Heppner public and I respectfully solicit your orders. Phones Main 393 or 396. t tf. C. H. GOLDSMITH. FIGHTING FOR PEACE AND SAFETY. It la a fearful thing to lead this groat peaeefnl eoantry Into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wan, ctriliznUon Itself ! seeming to be in the balance. ; But the right Is More precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always car- ried nearest our hearts for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice la their own goveraiaeula, for 1 the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free safety to all nations, and make the a task we can dedicate our lives we are and everything that w hate; with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America m privileged to spend .', her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other. From President Wilson's Address to Congress. ! E ETUI APPEAL FOR All "The supreme test of the Nation has . come. We must all speak; act and serve together," said President Wilson in an address the first of the week. It is an appeal to every man and woman - In the country and farm ers especially are urged to, act. Food without end is needed and quick ac tion is necessary. ' The President says that putting the Navy on a war loot ing and raising a great Army are the simplest parts, of this great task ahead. ' ' ' In this' great fight which we. have entered, a fight for the rights of man kind and the future "peace and se curity of the world,'.' the President says that abundant food is needed. - "Wa must supply abundant food for ourselves and for our armies and w seaman not only, but also for large pari ol lhratons with wtmtaroUoar the government ndvtefl we have now made common cause, in whose support and by whose sides we shall be fighting." Among the many vital issues con fronting industrial America as point ed out by President Wilson in his ad dress are. supplying hundreds of ships in which to carry foodstuffs and other1- materials across the At lantic to the countries with which we are co-operating; producing abund ant materials out of our mines and factories; - clothing for our own sol diers and those of our people, ofr HIGH FIGURE HERE Farmers Who Held, Sold For 2. Frank Anderson Garners S22, SOO From 540 Acres of 25 Land. Wheat reached the record high price in Heppner Monday when Frank Anderson of Jack Rabbit Can yon sold 11,250 bushels to the North ern Grain & Warehouse Co., of Port land tor $2.00 per bushel. The deal was made through Spencer Akers, the local agent of the company. Mr. Akers also bought in several small lots, remnants they might be called, tor farmers are finding an ex cellent market for those few sacks of seed wheat which they happened to have left over. Mr. Anderson's check for his 1916 wheat crop amounted to $22,500 and represented a return of $43.50 per acre, as the 11,250 bushels were raised on 540 acres. Besides this, Mr. Anderson also got his seed and teed. His 1916 crop also Included $1000 worth of barley, the land which Mr. Anderson farms is valued at $25 per acre. His farm totals 1140 acres and halt of It is in crop each year.' The name of Frank Anderson has become a synonym for good farming in this county and his scientific meth ods have always rewarded him with bumper crops. Not only is his place ohe ot the best farmed in Eastern Oregon, but it is one of the best im proved. KNIGHTS WILL HOLD DISTRICT CONVENTION The lodges of Knights ot Pythias comprising the counties ot Gilliam and Morrow will convene in Condon on Tuesday, April 24. On this occas ion the Grand Chancellor, the Grand Vice Chancellor and the Grand Keep er of Records and Seal will be pres ent. A number of local Knights are planning on. being present. Chas. Nizer went to Pendleton Friday to meet his wife who came from Grand Rapids, Michigan. They returned to Boardman Saturday morning, WHEAT REACHES A peoples as shall, bring peace and world itself at last free, to such J and our fortunes, everything that; X LIES PERSONAL USED OUTPUT whom gallant fellows under arms can no longer work; clothing and equip ment of armies with which we are bow. co-operating; keeping ihe ' fac tories of the allied nations supplied with iraw materials; supplying coal and steel and everything else with which the people of France', England, Italy and Russia formerly supplied themselves.. ' ?' There will be as much honor for the worker In the Industrial field as for the armies on the battle field as the President Mints out that the war Jrtll.be decided largely on foodstuffs, a this regard he calls upon the South to tarn iron) the temptation of grovr trt .ea -arach cotton, and "to tarn rfard feeding the' people of this1 tt-' ri,,the parole of other bun- several states stand ready to oo-op rate. - . - i President Wilson issues a warning to the middlemen and he asks them to forgo the usual profits in order that the greatest . efficiency may be .obtained in feeding the nation in this time of serious food shortage. In closing he delivered ,a straight arm blow to extravagance fend implored the people of the nation to forgo the many unnecessary luxuries,' and asks every housewife to practice the strict est economy. Thousands of Dollars Are Spent By Local Farmers to Improve Stock. Horses Are All Percheron. During the past week the horse market in Heppner has been a lively one and A. C. Ruby ft Co., the pion eer importers of pure bred stallions have sold five of their Percheron stal lions to farmers in the vicinity of this city. Those who have purchased are Roy Stamp, Sherman Wakefield and Walter Rood ot Heppner, Rugg Bro thers of Rhea creek and Phil Doher ty of Lexington. The sales were all made by Carl Smith of Arlington, who Is the field agent in this territory for Ruby & Co. Mr. Smith has also been buying horses extensively during the past thirty ; months for war purposes. Knowing the kind ot horses previous ly used here to a large extent for breeding purposes, Mr. Smith made but two trips here in that time for the horses were not ot large enough bone. He predicts that in six years time Morrow county will not be beat anywhere for horses tor he is of the opinion that the brood mares are here in quantity and of high quality. The prices paid for these stallions ranged from $1500 to $2500. IYoperty Rights of Foreigners in the United States. The Department of State, Wash ington, D. C, on February 8th, is sued the following statement: "It having been reported to him that there is anxiety in some quar ters on the part of persons residing In this country who are the subjects ot foreign states, lest their bank de posits or other property should be seized in the event of war between the United States and a foreign nation, the President authorizes the statement that all such fears are en tirely unfounded. The Government of the United States will in ho cir cumstances take advantage of a state of war to take possession of proper ty in which international understand ings and the recognized law of land give It no just claim or title. It will scrupulously respect all private rights alike of its own citizens and of the subjects of foreign states. HORSE BREEDERS BUY FINE ANIMALS HOW WOMEN MAY HELP WIN THE WORLD WAR Waya Pointed Out by Mrs. Clara H. Waldo, Member O. A. C. Board of Regents. O. A. C, Corvallis Ore., April 17 Sharing in the toll ot the fields, sac rificing all individual tastes that in terfere with bountiful production of food supplies, practicing rigid econ omy, and avodlng neighborhood sus picion, are some of the ways In which women can help win the big war, as pointed out by Mrs. Clara Waldo, the woman member of the Oregon Agri cultural College Board of Regents In speaking to the women students. "Women's help is better in time of stress than at any other time," said she, "tor It is then that their Intui tion comes In comes straight from the spirit You are to be joint tillers ot the soil In war time. Tou can help in the food and labor shortage by -writing to the home folk what are the best crops to grow. Plenty of beans, potatoes and carrots tor win ter use will eat down the home Urine cost and release much other food ma terial for other use. "Grow Belgian hares'. They are a good cheap food and can be grown on the clover cuttings from the parks and lawns. . "Canneries and homes that are going to depend on tins might begin to evaporate surplus fruits and veget ables when possible because there is going to be a great shortage of tins. Doubtless many canneries will be un able to i ran during . the summer months. "America has no quarrel with any nation but is opposed to autocratic militarism. Nor should- we be sus picious of pur neighbors the se cret service men are . paid to be sus picious. We shall need all the char ity we ean command." BROTHER OF HEPPNER - MAN - IS ' : HONORED (Seattle Sunday Times.)! - ', William w Allison, professor ot municipal and highway, engineering at the. University of Washington and a' veteran of the SpanlshrAmerioan Warv was .yesterday notified by the chief of engineers of the United- states Army tpat he had, been grant ed areommlaaloa as major in the re serve corpa of engineers in Class "A," Ts,,appa,-4J t la tie rssalt of an niaMioir waica rroresaor. Allison took under Lieut. Col. J. B. Cavan augh!"C6rps of Engineers,' U. S. A., in Seattle February 9th.- A commission in Class "A" ot the engineering corps differs from Class "B" In that it requires a knowledge of military subjects and calls for ser vice with the troops in the field. .Class "B" requires no knowledge of military, subjects and Is a specialized civilian engineering along military lines. ' During the present year at the university, Professor Allison has or ganized a company ot engineers among freshman students in engin eering and has taught them the prin ciples of field fortifications and trench digging. Professor , Allison's first military service was with the militia ot South Dakota Territory at the age of 16 From that time he belonged to the militia until the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, when he was commissioned as major in the First Regiment of South Dakota Volun teers, upon the recommendation of Col. Frost, U. S, A. Major Allison was recommended for the grade of brevet lieutenant for meritorious service in action on March 26 and 27, 1899. Professor Allison is a brother of Dr. H. T. Allison of this city and was formerly oh the faculty of the University of Oregon at Eugene. i BOARDMAN ITEMS. Mrs. Chas. Hango and children ar rived last week from Hood River. Jesse Lower went to Hermiston Saturday, returning Sunday. The parents ot F. A. Price arrived Sunday from Portland to spend a few days. J. E. Heard arrived Tuesday to look over the project with a view to filing. Mrs. J. C. Ballinger is enjoying a visit with her mother, Mrs. W. A. Murchle. C. G. Blayden came in from Scotts Mill, where he recently moved with his family. Joe Simmons arrived Friday from Portland where he spent the winter with his sister. MRS. W. T. MATLOCK PASSES IN PORTLAND Mrs. W. T. Matlock died at a Port land hospital Monday, April 16, after a short illness following an opera tion. Laura E. Matlock was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Brown and she grew to womanhood In the Lone Rock country. Mr. and Mrs. Mat lock made their home in Heppner for several years prior to movlug to Portland. A host of friends here will be shocked to learn ot her untimely passing away. She was 41 years of age. The funeral was held from the family residence in Portland on Wed nesday afternoon. Mrs. R. A. Thomp son, a sister who resides In this city went down to attend the last sad rites. RELIEF MEETING TOMORROW MIGHT Starving Belgians Win Receive Reg ular Aid From This City Meet ing Tomorrow Night. In Heppner nearly every citizen Is asking himself the question, what have I done and what am I doing for the stricken people of Belgium? The reply Is nothing, absolutely nothing. This spirit has been growing until a movement bas been started which is bound to result in great good. As per a former announcement in The -Gasette-Tlmes, the citizens ot Hepp ner will gather at the Opera House Friday night for the purpose of or ganizing for permanent relief work. The committee in charge has ar ranged for a program and those at tending are assured of entertainment. At a recent meeting held in the Christian church, a collection of $7 was taken, but the opinion was prev alent that Heppner should do some thing permanent and hence the meet ing tomorrow night. The present ' movement haa the backing of prac tically every organization in the city and every fraternal order will have a member on the general committee having the relief work in charge. The appalling fact that women and children are starving to death in Bel-. glum and the added fact that the Uni ted States, the richest of all nations, . is contributing only 7 per cent of foodstuffs to that country, is awaken-, lng America to greater efforts than ever before. Relief work of a per manent nature is being more efficient-1 ly organlzd and the time Is held ripe ' tor Heppner to enter into this great undertaking. ' HEPPNER IS NOW PRE PARED FOR INVASION "Preparedness'' has been the conn- ' terslgn of all recruits advancing to ; the sentries who guard the outer en- trances to the Hall of Fame where rest the. trophies and. championships of other years, captured in other bat- ' ties by the valiant warriors of Hepp- . ner High School. Sines the reported j invasion ot the battle scarred veter- as froja lone Into this crtytomorrow " afternoon, trench digging has been . lively and the local . patriots have : planned to give their foes, who are worthy of their own steel, a battle , royal on the depot grounds. These ' grounds have become historic from , past gory spectacles and especially on account of the hard fighting there last Spring. The enemy was victor ious then but our warriors expect to gain back all this lost territory and restore the lost laurels to their for mer resting place In the Hall. Press correspondents, historians and every-, body else not actively engaged in the battle will be charged the nominal sum of twenty-five cents. COMMUNICATION. To the Editor: Many questions have been asked recently In regard to matters arising out of the conditions which necessar ily prevail on account ot the state of war which exists. People must bear in mind that many things which are' permissible in a time ot peace are not permissible in a time of war. It is the policy ot both the National and State Governments to cause as little Inconvenience to citizens and others as is consistent with the proper pro tection of the rights and dignity of the country. Citizens are urged to refrain from talk and actions which are calculated to stir up trouble with foreigners who may be within our borders or with our citizezns of foreign birth. If any citizen comes into possession of any knowledge or rumor ot any acts or talk inimical to the interests ot the country, he should not peddle the' same about, but should communicate It to some peace officer, who will take such steps as are necessary fa the premises. It this policy is pursued, foreigners and foreign born citizens will be saved humiliation and much ill feeling will be avoided. Those who sympathize with the countries with which the United States is at war are admonished to follow the rule laid down by the Attorney Gen eral of the United States, "Obey the law, and keep your mouth shut." If this plan is followed no inconven ience will be experienced. People should inform themselves in regard to the law touching the desecration of the flag. This is not a time for any foolishness in this line. Strangers need not be surprised if they find themselves the objects of observation. And strangers in the community who do not appear to have any employment need not be sur prised it they are held to answer to a charge of vagrancy. It Is a poor time for loafers anyway, and loafers who are not known and who can not be vouched for had better seek em ployment or keep moving. Careful Instructions touching this matter are being prepared by the Federal and State authorities, and all officers will be fully Informed within a short time. Respectfully, S. E. NOTSON, District Attorney. Alex Lindsay and son James are up from Jordan Siding today. Mrs. W. C. Cason visited with friends in lone this week.