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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (March 8, 1959)
12 MAIL TRIBUNE, Mtlfor4, CrefM, Unity, Mareh I, 19S9 Starts to P p eve II TV Oh VlU uu u Potential Seen By Interested Medford Groups By ERIC WENTWORTH Mail Tribune Staff Writer Orchardists, miners, cattle men, horseback riders, hunt ers, sight-seers, naturalists, radio hams, soldiers on man uevers. policemen-all have used Roxy Ann butte at one time or another. Roxy Ann, rising to a height of 3,584 feet on the skyline east of Medford, is be lieved named for Roxanna Ba ker, an early settler, in 1854. The city of Medford ac quired 1,700 acres of it for rec reational purposes in 1930 200 acres from the Lions club and 1.500 from the federal government. Approve Park On April 18, 1933, the city approved establishing the pro perty as a park in memory of constable George J. frescou ' Prescott, on March 16 of that year, was shot and killed by Llewellyn A. Banks, orch ardist, editor and political fan atic. Banks, who reduced Jackson county's government practically to a shambles be hind his Good Government Congress, had threatened on several occasions he would re sist arrest. Prescott approached his res idence on March 16 to serve a warrant charging him with the theft and destruction of county ballots. Banks shot him as he stood in the doorway. Secure Development With the park named for Prescott, the city set about se curing its development. The county extended a road into the area. Then crews from the civilian conservation corps arrived, pitched their camp and embarked on an ambi tious building program.. Picnic facilities in two areas and road improvements with pull-outs for observing the fine views, which are the park's finest feature, were constructed. But other plans-for a com munity center, an amphithea ter, an administration build ing-had to be set aside when the CCC program was cur tailed. These plans have lang uished since in file drawers at city hall. Study Asked In 1956, the state highway commission was asked to make a study with an eye to including Prescott park in the state park system. The commission carried out the study, but turned down the park's acquisition "due to limited state - wide interest, and the amount of expendi ture required to improve the park and roadway which can not be justified by the antici pated usage." But limited as its state-wide Interest may be, Roxy Ann has continued to loom high on Medford's horizon. Re cently, a new movement has begun to fulfill its potential as a recreational area. Lead Names Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Garn er of the Welcome Wagon club have led this movement , They have approached Med ford officials at city hall, the city's parks and recreation commission and the county court. City and county offic ials met with the Garners on Feb. 19 to discuss what might be done. Two arguments brought out at this meeting were the area's rapid population growth and the prospect of many more tourists during the Centennial year. Rehabilitating Prescott park would appear to be a challenging task. The state in 1956 estimated it would cost SllO.OOO-primarily for road surfacing-to accomplish it Include Restoring The state's estimate, aside from the roadwork, included for the most part simply re storing existing facilities to their proper condition. The state report also included an estimated requirement of S3, 850 for annual maintenance. While the city has erected a metal fence around one pic nic area to prevent cattle from entering, the other area has definitely suffered from bo vine trespassing. Some picnic tables are still in good shape. But rest room facilities and other plumbing are out of commission. Bridle paths said to once exist are obliterated by vegetation. Three radio aerials wi t h equipment shacks are located near the summit. One belongs to the Southern Oregon Con servation and Tree Farm as sociation, a second to the Jack son county sheriffs office and the third to the California Ore gon Power company. It is generally-agreed that the park should remain as much as possible in its natural ROXY ANN - Named for an early valley summer, muddy in winter; widespread settler, this butte with the beautiful views poison oak; occasional rattlesnakes - these is once again being considered for recrea- are some problems that must be overcome tional development. A road that is dusty in to make the area more popular. SIGNS OF NEGLECT-Scattered leaves and area facilities constructed by CCC crews in shattered crockery in a Prescott Park rest- the mid-1930s are generally in need of room attest to lack of maintenance. Picnic rehabilitation or replacement. TABLE TALK - Some picnic table in Pres- stored to good condition, more people might cott park are still serviceable. Others would get out of their cars, relax under the trees be with minor repairs. If roving cattle, and enjoy nature at closer hand than poison oak and human vandals can be kept through a windshield, from the picnic areas, and the facilities re state. Yet three of nature's own villains have limited its popularity - weather, poison oak and rattlesnakes. Roads Dusty Dry summers make the park's roads unpleasantly dusty. Wet winters, on the other hand, cause pot holes and slick mud. City crews periodically pro vide gravel where the road has been eroded. Recently they cleaned out roadside ditches and culverts as well. But a "bad road" remains one of Roxy Ann's drawbacks. Susceptibility to the rav ages of poison oak vary from person to person, but those who do not happen to know their personal tolerance are generally loathe to experi ment. Some may be infected without even touching the plant. At least one local church group, it is understood, was discouraged from holding Eas ter Sunrise services atop Roxy Ann by the nefarious shrub. A spokesman for the Medford Interchurch Youth council has been quoted as saying the group would hap pily hold such services if the poison oak could be eradicat ed. Warn of Snakes The city itself advertised the rattlesnakes last summer with a large warning sign. They ara perhaps not numer ous, but they are known to frequent water sources-such as those In the picnic areas. The net result of the poison oak and the shakes is that many visitors to the park, es pecially in the summer, prefer to enjoy the scenery from the safety of their automobiles. Still another problem is the need for adequate supervision. Beer cans are nearly as num erous as wild flowers in some places. Occasionally vandals overturn benches or smash rest room crockery. Discharging Firearms Discharging firearms - at beer cans and bottles or at unfortunate wild animals would have to be stopped. And cattle -that now graze freely in pasture and picnic area alike would have to be kept excluded. Eugene Garner, for one, be lieves these challenges can be met. He said last week that the Welcome Wagon club has received encouragement and support from such groups as the Siskiyou Pioneer Sites Foundation, the Jackson County Chamber of Com merce, the Southern Oregon Experiment station and South ern Oregon college. He has expressed hope that development of the park can proceed under a master plan guided by a committee com prising representatives of all interested groups. Agrees To Work The county court has al ready agreed to do a certain amount of grading and oiling on the road in order to keep bumps and dust at a minimum duringt he Centennial Year summer. Next, Garner believes, the two existing picnic areas and their rest room facilities should be put in good shape again. As for the poison oak, he states, that three years of bombardment with various sprays can drive it from the picnic grounds and roadsides. As a longer range strategy, he said that planting trees could be effective. As the trees grew, he ex plained, their shade would re duce the oak's infestation. Garner said he does not be lieve rattlesnakes on Roxy Ann's slopes are numerous enough to constitute a hazard. Variety of Projects Aside from these basic needs, he has ideas for a var iety of projects. He said he understands teen-agers drive their cars into the park, form them in a circle with the ra dios on and stage impromptu dances. Garner envisions a com munity center and amphi theatre for dances, youth ac- Individuals Are Guests at Annual Turnabout Party Camp White-Thirty six in dividuals and 204 various or ganizations of Oregon and southern Oregon were hon ored at the annual "Turnabout Party" given by the Camp White Veterans administra tion Domiciliary, Friday, Feb-T ruary 27 Manager Henry C. Herzog, in presenting the certificates of appreciation, called to the attention of the audience which filled the theater, the fact that, "To give ones' self for the benefit of mankind is an art . . . Your genuine sym pathy, your friendly desire to help, serves to remind us of the tremendous power of just being human . . . For your un selfish devotion to our mem bers, to your community, and for the faithfulness of your service, we give our deepest thanks." Other speakers included Frank J. Glonning, chief of special services; Mrs. Lelia Birch, volunteer associate, Cliff Hyde, member. Herzog was assisted in the presenta-. tfons by Banks I. Paul, assist ant manager, and Dr. A. S. Anderson, chief medical offi cer. Musical Numbers Domiciliary members pre sented 11 musical and vocal acts. Marian Cech, representing the Daughters Union Veterans and American Gold Star Moth ers, topped the list in hours devoted the Veterans Admin istration Voluntary Services with 2,500. 'Lela Lamb and Polly Offut of the American Legion au xiliary and Bertha Bardwell, American Red Cross, each had 1,000 hours. Certificates for 500 hours were awarded to James I. Cas sal, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Lela Lamb, American Legion auxiliary; Hazel Ramsey, Vet erans of Foreign Wars auxili ary; Lillian Williams, Veter ans of Foreign Wars auxiliary; Frances Flinn, American Red Cross; Ruth Gordon, American Red Cross, and Mary Parker, American Legion auxiliary. Receive Certificates Seven volunteers received certificates for 300 hours. They are Bessie Aldridge, Faye Allison, Marie L. Bowl ing, all of the Veterans of For eign Wars auxiliary; Margaret Eakin, American Gold Star Mothers; Leli Lamb and Lo rena Leach, American Legion auxiliary, and Emil B. Kroe ger, Benevolent and Protec tive Order of the Elks. Those receiving certificates for 100 hours included Gladys Blackford, Florine Hughes and Marie Wilcox, American Legion auxiliary; Victor Ea kin, unaffiliated; June Goff, Helen Watson, and Jennie Smith, Blue Star Mothers; Harry Leuty, Veterans World War I; Evelyn M. Peabody and Dora Stanton, Veterans of For eign Wars auxiliary; Frank Clayton, Military Order of the Cooties; William E. Ricken, Salvation Army; Hazel B. An derson, Elizabeth , Johnston and Josephine Widner, United Spanish War Veterans auxili ary; Opal Cox, Veterans World War I auxiliary, and Grace Jones, unaffiliated. The United State accounts for 24 per cent and Rhodesia 36 per cent of the world's to tal iron ore reserves, accord ing to the Twentieth Century Fund. tivities, church services, con certs and a variety of other social and cultural programs. He believes a caretaker should be provided, who would live in a cottage erect ed in the park. This caretak er, he says, could be respon sible for running a food and soft drink concession as well. Other Possibilities Other possibilities might in clude an archery range, a su pervised rifle range, a riding stable and bridle paths, and an .amateur observatory. He said the observatory might accom modate students with home made telescopes at first and later include more elaborate facilities. Orchards have been planted on Roxy Ann. Coal miners have tunneled into its flanks. Hunters have roamed its thickets, and nature lovers have studied its flora and fauna. During World War II, soldiers from Camp White es tablished an observation post atop it for firing 155mm how itzers. A considerable potential for recreational facilities serv ing Medford and other com munities in this area appears to exist. "What we need," Garner believes, "is picks and shovels, dollars and enthusiasm." fir h ; - - 4 JM" -: -s S - I 1 ' MANAGERS - VA Domiciliary Managers on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Camp White veterans home were pres ent for the incentive awards to employees. From the left, they are Paul Hatton, who opened the station in the fall of 1948, remaining as manager until July, 1953; NEW BUILDING - This new building, located at 246 East 10th st., Medford, will house the office of Real Estate Agent Harry B. Marshall and his wife, Jeanette Marshall, Medford attorney. Open house will be tween 1 and 6 p.m. today. Above, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall discuss plans for landscaping the grounds around the build ing. The couple formerly occupied joint offices in the Brophy building, Medford. mv9 Everybody Loves Nasturtiums The nasturtium has leaves that are shaped like a shield. In fact, the early botanist that gave the flower its name was apparently struck by the startling similarity and con sidered it apparent to name it "nasturtium" which means "trophy" in the Greek lan guage. It is peculiar that such a popular flower should have no common name, but such is the case. Originally it came from Mexico, but it has been raised extensively in Peru and Chili for many centuries. This hardy annual will thrive on poor soil and yields an abun dance of showy flowers under the most adverse of condi tions. 50 Varieties There are about 50 vari eties, and many colors have been developed by the botan ist and horticulturalist. We have both dwarf, or low grow ing plants, as well as climb ers that clamber to some height. In tropical America the nasturtium grows wild and it is from this wild stock that the domesticated varie ties have been developed. Or dinarily they have weak stems that are rather like many of the succulents, although the plant belongs to the water cress family. The flower, itself, is shaped like the hat that was worn by Peter Pan, or like that which commonly adorns the head of the Swiss yodeler. We say the flower is "spurred," but the spur could' as easily be the nodding feather in the hat of either of these romantic peo ple. With a spur, and leaves shaped like a shield, the friendly flower is equipped by nature to ride a floral path to unusual popularity, and it has done just that, for everyone loves the nasturtium. It occu pies a prominent part of any garden and a warm spot in a flower-lover's heart. Since Great-Grandma's Time These simple flowers have been a part of American gar dens since our great-grandmothers first enclosed a little TALKS TOO FAST Sherman Oaks, Calif. -UPD-Robert Eugene Eschbach, 26, arrested on suspicion of hold ing up a supermarket, denied knowing anything about the stickup. "I'm strictly a burg lar," he protested. Ilpl 1 LA Eugene K. Ricker, who held the reins for the five succeeding years, and . Henry Herzog. recently named manager, who as sumed the duties Jan. 1. Both Hatton and Ricker, upon their retirement, established their homes in Medford. held at the new quarters be Small Worlds Around Us By Lynn M. Watkins area back of the house for a flower garden. Quite often she selected a fresh, crisp leaf from the plant and placed it in the jar before she poured the jelly into it. During the following winter the family enjoyed the delicate flavor of nasturtiums whenever the de licious jelly was served. ! Nasturtium seeds, finely i chopped, impart to a veget- j able salad a subtle aroma and an elusive flavor that is indis tinguishable, but delicious. After enjoying this unusual ingredient in a salad, we can partly understand the Chinese j people's practice of pickling i nasturtium seeds and serving j them as spicy delicacies. I am beginning to believe that the man who said, "Clever, these j Chinese," knew whereof he spoke. ' and Tribune Syndicate, 1959) ill . many years to come. II -- Hillcre&t Chapel I lLLCBEST-c'PARK I iiSSsJi -Bi" Driscoll, manager North Phoenix Road I Phone SP 3-6162 or SP 2-7111 Slander Suit Nets $1 Damages Eugene-UPD-A Lane county circuit jury Friday awarded damages in the amount of $1 to William Huey, Eugene at torney, in a slander suit against former county district attorney Eugene G. Venn in which Huey sought $50,000 general damages. Huey had charged Venn with slanderous statements in speech Venn made while district attorney Aug. 10, 1956, at a public meeting here. Huey originally asked $100,000 punitive damages in addition to the general dam ages but that was withdrawn after the trial began Tuesday Circuit Judge P. K. Ham mond of Oregon City presid ed over the case. The jury deliberated for five hours and returned the SI verdict at 5 p.m. Free Hearin Free Examination Free Book Free Adjustments Free Consultations Find out your hearing problem before buying anything, as your Needs May Not Require an Aid. Have a FREE Check Up first. Tuesday, March 10 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 28 Washington HAROLD A. AMES Beltone Hearing Consultant 'Jg Largest Acreage in Southern Oregon, which will take I Local Hospitals Are Accredited Rogue Valley and Sacred Heart hospitals have been ac credited by the Joint Commis sion on Accreditation of Hos pitals, Dr. Kenneth B. Bab cock, commission director of Chicago, has announced. The hospitals are among about 7,000 throughout the country, its possessions and Candada eligible for accredi tation. Omission of a hospital from the list does not necessarily mean it had failed to pass an accreditation survey. The ac creditation program is a vol untary one, he pointed out, and only those hospitals . which request surveys are visited. Dr. Babcock said survey ors, ail pnysicians. rate a nos- pital on certain basic require ments. They include a safe physical plant free from fire hazards; proper supervision and review by the medical staff of the clinical work done; maternal, infant and anesthetic death rates that are not excessively ' high; ade quate medical records; ethical practices; investigation of all tissue removed at operation; mortality rates that are with in reasonable limits; proper nursing care; proper adminis trative and medical staff or ganization. The commission is an agen cy established by five organ izations to conduct the hospi tal survey and inspection pro gram initiated by the Ameri- can College of Surgeons in 1919. The Joint commission started operations in 1953. HUNT BABY ELEPHANT Berlin-tUFD-East Berlin offi cials were on the lookout to day for a stray baby elephant. East Berlin's zoo director re ported in the newspaper B.Z. Am Abend Friday that Kos ko, the zoo's little elephant, had disappeared mysterious ly. He gave no details, but said all attempts to locate the animal so far had been unsuccessful. v
