Image provided by: North Santiam Historic Society; Gates, OR
About The Mill City enterprise. (Mill City, Or.) 1949-1998 | View Entire Issue (June 25, 1953)
Canyon Avenue Parade rX) ** f V By DON PETERSON The local Boy Scout troop has been j enjoying some evening feasts follow ing their regular meeting sessions ac cording to information leaking out of their gatherings via the giapevine. On the evening of June 10 the 16 boys present devoured 58 hot dogs and quite a number of bottles of pop, j then again this Wednesday evening sifter their weekly gathering in the park they cut loose on a good quantity of marshmellows. One boy reports | that he ate so many that he got sick. At any rate you mothers can blame Bob Veness for providing the marsh mellows and doing a bit of rustling up at the dedication of Detroit dam for the pop and hot-dogs, if your boy was sick the following day! Bob Veness has taken over the duties of Scoutmaster from Charles Kelly recently and both are deserving of your thanks. Kelly has given many hours of his time to guide the boys and we would be negligent of our duty if we did not publicly give him our thanks for his efforts. Many of you do not sec in to realize the work in volved and the need of your assistance on many occasions. A parent or troop committeeman is needed at every meeting and it is very seldom that any one even bothers to say “thank you” to these men who give of their time in order to Cwny out the Scout pro gram. * * « Someone was kind enough to send me a clipping pasted to a postcard which was a “letter to the editor” of some other newspaper signed by one James J. Mann, of Hood River. Mr. Mann’s blood was boiling according to hiS letter, by the statements made by Elmer McClure,, president of the State Grange at Medford recently, at tacking Secretary McKay. Mr. Mann wrote the following: “It is too bad some people cannot get over the something for nothing, i cradle to the grave ideas which started i in the minds of many about 20 years ego and which thought still seems to ! exist in them. ‘¿Seems to me that McClure had better use his time and vocal efforts in an endeavoV to breed in the minds of his constituents the "necessity for them to begin thinking about the in terests of the general tax-paying pub-1 lie who have been wet nursing them I entirely too long in the way of farm [ subsidies. "It is high time these unnecessary I expenditures by the department of agriculture were very materially re duced, and expenditures for such un warranted projects as the Hell's Can- von dam eliminated entirely. “JAMES J. MANN, Hood River.” T he MILL CITY ENTERPRISE ON THE .-ULNTC NORTH SANTIAM HIGHWAY — GATEWAY TO THE HEART OF NATl RE'S EMPIRE MILL CITY, OREGON. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1953 Vol. IX—No. 26 $2.50 a Year, DISMAL DAM NEVER DEDICATED a Cop» N. Santiam Dam Dream Waited Over 60 Years By BEN MAXWELL Those who dedicated Detroit dam June 10 little knew or cared about that older dam on the North Santiam ini tiated by O’Neil brothers and Callaghan in the 1890’s. It was never dedicated because it was never completed. Today the ruins of this forgotten project stand weath ered, grim and eroded at Niagara like some feudal monu ment. Fishermen cast from its overgrown masonry into 11 CtrsrlrAM deep pools and old inhabi- Harry Wood stricken tants have confused history and traditions about it for, With HOOn AttOCK with a few exceptions, it is Harry Wood, 76, was stricken down Older than they. [at about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday after Weekly Capital Journal for Sapt. "°°n b>' 8 f“U1 beart 8tt8c* %the 13, 1900, contains a contribution about I ¿T store operated by Mrs. ... . . . «, .. .„.Wood and died peacefully within a Industries of the Upper Santiam. . \ . . t few minutes, lie had been around his At Niagara, 60 miles east of Albany . . Corvallis n & w v . i_ usual , haunts during on the Eastern railroad, . A ... the . day in front u:. n O Neil i u brothers .u /v- the stoiy . tells, (Frank l i of the post office visiting 4 with his . . «, .K n » .. of f i I many J friends as was his custom, ’ and and Edward) and C. W. Callaghan San Francisco were about the . business .had | u remarked v , u that morning , u_ on , K how __ 'good he felt. Mr. Wood had been of constructing a development that! | losing some of his strength and vigor would generate not less than 20,000 I in recent years following some light horsepower. strokes. Here the gorge of the North San- Mr. Wood was born in Marion, Ohio, tiam is but four feet and three inches i Aug. 15, 1876, and came to Harris in width during low water, burg when he was 14 with his family. “Nature,” says this Capital Journal In 1902 he came to Mill City and had of 53 years ago, “never provided a lived here ever since. His first wife better place for a fine water power.” died in 1919, and he was married in At an earlier time the Job and Ham 1931 to Mrs. Mildred Colburn who sur ilton sawmill stood at this site. Per vives him. haps the San Francisco promoters ob- ’ Mr. Wood is survived by his wife tained the water right from them Mrs. Mildred Wood and one son, Lyle along with 1,000 acres of fine timber I Wood of San Francisco, and a step in Linn and Marion counties. It was son, Jack Colburn of Mill City; also their plan to ---- ----- -- utilize the water - power | . two sisters, Mrs. Georgia Gudmon- to operate a papermill at Niagara in I g(jn of Ben(J nn(J M]s Haxpl AUen of which 100 men might be employed I Pasadena, Calif., and four brothers, comi 1903. Ralph Wood of Alameda, Dever and Before the O'Neil brothers and Cal Robert Wood of Dunsipuic, Calif., and laghan exhausted their resources in Karl Wood of P<j*land; one; grand (am con*4ructwn they si»c»,t nearly daughter, Mrs. J. A'eslcott of Mil $37,500 of their own money in de waukie, Ore., and one grandson, Don veloping the project. The dam was ald Wood of Klamath Falls, Ore., and not completed (winter floods des | four great-grandchildren. troyed their summer efforts), the pa Funeral will be at the Presbyterian The North Santiam power project at Niagara, initiated by O'Neil brothers and Callaghan in the 1890s. uas permill was never built at Niagara church Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. never dedicated because it was never completed. More than $100,000 was spent in a futile attempt to dam and the splendid stand of hemlock tim with Rev. Noble Streeter in charge. and utilize North Santiam water power where the stream is four feet and three inches in width during low ber owned by the firm was exploited Interment will be in Fairview ceme water. (Photo courtesy Capital Journal) by others. tery. But they did not propose to lose water rights to this development site that defied their engineering and fi Perhaps Mr. Mann and the person nancial ingenuity. The Byllesby com- who so kindly sent me the clipping pany was give nan option to purchase - , — ,■ | anonymously should study a little and between 1909 and 1912 dropped JQ|||$ 11*011 KlOB Salem—(Special)—The State Parks nearly $65,000 into a proposed hydro Wm. M. "Bill” Downing, 86, of Jack Allaway of Mehama died sud more of what is going on in other Riders of the North Santiam took ways to “coddle” big business and denly Tuesday afternoon after suffer Lyons succumbed late Wednesday aft division, Oregon State Highway de electric project here. By then they, part in the Silverton Saddle club an what has been going on ever since ing a heart attack at Gold Beach. Mr. ernoon at his home in Lyons to a partment is entering its second season too, were discouraged. this great nation was founded. His Allaway had visited his physician and heart attack. Mr. Downing had been offering overnight camping facilities But O’Neil brothers and Callaghan nual trail ride, Sunday, June 14. They tory is full of details of the many was- ordered to take it easy and was j in good health in spite of failing some in 30 state park areas. remained persistent and determined, report that 117 horsemen and women subsidies to large companies such as left lying down in the doctor’s office, i with the advance of his years. During last year, the first year They kept one man tinkering at the had a very successful four-hour ride the railroads while they were starting But while the doctor was busy with I Downing is survived by seveial sons overnight camping facilities were of project with a wheelbarrow just to in the Silver Falls hills. Riders enjoyed a breakfast from 8 on the east coast and crossing the other duties Mr. Allaway left and | and daughters, two of whom live in fered in state parks, over 44,000 camp retain their water right. Oregon plains up to this very day. Thousands J walked down to his boat dock, were Lyons, Orville, a son, and Mis. Forest ers took advantage of accommoda Electric railroad considered the site to 10 a.m. in the Silverton Legion of acres of land was donated to the ; the doctor found him a short time Nydegger, a daughter, and one grand tions Forty-seven per cent of this as a source of power for their Will hall. A lunch was served by the railroads by the government, many j later, too late to help him. son, Duane M. Downing of Mill City. total were estimated to be out-of-state amette valley railroad. Others came Silverton Saddle club at the half-way re-organizations took place until this i Allaway was worthy master of his The funeral will be Sunday after travelers. Some 50,000 campers to look, study, survey and finally de mark. Riders from clubs all over the Will country has paid for the railroads sev Masonic Lodge No. 180 and an active noon at 1 p.m. at Weddle’s Funeral expected to use state parks again part without taking any affirmative amette valley competed during the season. eral times over. figure in the social and civic affairs Home in Stayton. action. Has Mr. Mann wept any tears over i of the North Santiam communities. I Three of these camping areas are; Finally, in 1931, Oregon’s hydro- trail ride. A prize for the youngest the money this government has spent | Allaway had acted as guide for those major improved developments with electric commission held a hearing on rider went to a six-year-old boy; an to make it possible for these railroads 1 going on fishing trips out of Gold | tent and trailer camp sites including the water power rights of the San other prize went to the oldest man, to pay dividends to its stockholders? Beach for several years. parking spaces, water, picnic tables, Francisco promoters who had retained a 93-year-old man from Biggs. Representing the Riders of the San I don’t think he even realizes what electric or wood stoves, restrooms, their privileges so long and yet ac Tuesday's fatal attack was the sec tiam were: Crystal and Elmer Lim we have invested. complished so little. Their decision shower and laundry facilities. The ond heart attack for him. His first beck, Everett and Anita Limbeck, E. does not now matter. Already long other 27 are improved camps provid attack came about a year ago. At What's the hurry? Then there are the steamship com- j That's a question Oregon police of- ing camp spaces with wood stoves, range thinkers were dreaming about S. Peterson and Larry Nydegger. panies who have been subsidized many that time he remained in a hospital a superdam near Detroit, conceived ficers will be asking many drivers tables, water and latrine facilities. for a short time. times—wasn't it just a few weeks ago The improved camps are at Silver to serve a diversity of modern require Allaway is survived by his widow, during the weeks ahead as the speed that we gave away the U.S.S. United Falls State park, east of Salem, Wal ments. States for about one-third its cost to Mrs. Pearl Allaway, and one son Jack season arrives on Oregon highways. Niagara’s fortune flourished and Such questioning, according to the lowa I-ake State park, in northeastern a steamship company? Subsidizing I Allaway Jr. of Vancouver, Wash. The declined with the projected power de state traffic safety division, usually Oregon and Emigrant Spring State Allaways have operated The Hub believe is what it is called. Mr. Mann Shortly after the Cor- didn’t say anything about that, he; restaurant in Mehama for a number bring a feeble excuse from the driver park between Pendleton and LaGrande. velopment. valis 4 Eastern railroad (a blighted Detroit With a bid of $1,683 above and an attempt to talk his way out Other improved camps are under con of years. must approve of that kind of “some thing for nothing" deal. Of course,1 The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Fri of a traffic ticket. The safety divi- struction at the present time includ enterprise with a depressing financial the appraised value, Parkett Logging the aviation companies have all been day morning at Weddle Funeral Home l sion, however, hopes officers will ing Spencer Creek Wayside near New history) reached the locality a post was awarded the contract to log 469 port, the Cove Palisades State park office was established, Oct 3, 1890. acre Straight Creek area, described subsidized from the start, both the in Stayton with Rev. N. N. Neufelt | “stick by their guns” this summer. Traffic deaths are on the increase, in central Oregon and Humbug Moun William H. Burns was first post- previously as the largest timber sale officiating. manufacturing companies by large I master and the place was called on the Willamette forest this year. 1 nearly 160 reported by mid-June, and tain State park near Port Orford. tax-write-offs reaching into the mil-1 Only four offers were received by Niagara. drivers who exceed reasonable speeds Unimproved camps include Jessie M. lions of dollars every year, and the Shelton, Marion county sealed bid at the auction in Eugene, When Tad play an important part in adding to Honeyman and Neptune State parks operating companies by fat mail con St. Catherine’s Church assessor, went there to fish about June 16. The sale price of the timber the toll. Speed, alone, does not kill; on the Oregon coast; Cascadia and tracts, etc., then the steel companies | it takes another driving error coupled Armitage State parks in the Willam 1900 Niagara had a store, hotel and was influenced by the high coet of 5iave also received many millions of Honored by Bishop 1 dollars in tax-write-offs and refunds ! Mill City's St. Catherine's Catholic with a driver who "overdrives hit ette valley; Cline Falls State park a gallon house. For some years be development and a hauling distance until their profits have continually1 church was honored Sunday by the abiltiy” to produce an accident. But and Redmond-Bend Wayside in cen fore the post office finally closed, of 75 truck miles to market. June 13, 1934, it had the name of being climbed into the astronomical heavens j presence of the Right Reverend Edwin when that error occurs, chances of tral Oregon; Benson and Viento State the smallest post office in the nation. death rapidly increase, the division parks on the Columbia river and Red —their income has increased 374.3% I V. O'Hara, bishop of Kansas City and Bridge and Catherine Creek State The finale came late in the summer Idanha Votes in Favor from 1939 to 1951 to the point where uncle of Rev. Fr. Robert O’Hara, ' says. of 1952 when Marion county court, Safety officials pointed out that 116 parks in eastern Oregon. their NET PROFITS AFTER TAXES pastor of St. Catherine’s. Of Fire Tax Levy Monday of the drivers involved on fatal smash- Campers are limited to a one-week acting upon a petition of George H. was $596.2 million in 1951, according Ditto, vacated the four platted streets Idanha — Twenty-two votes were The Right Reverend O'Hara gave ups last year were driving at exces- stay at all camps. Nominal rates, up to information in the Congressional ' that were never used since the town cast at the Idanha fire district election the sermon Sunday morning and the [ sive speeds. They added that an ac to $1.25 a night, depending on the Record. bishop's blessing in the St. Catherine's cident at 60 miles an hour is eight facilities provided, are charged for had never developed to the exent of on the annual tax levy, Monday, at Of course Mr. Mann didn’t say any- , parish church and also one at the time* more likely to produce a fatal- camp use. Most of the campers pay needing them.—From Capital Journal. the fire hall in Idanha. Of this num ber, 21 ballots favored the tax levy thing about the electric companies Breitenbush mission. The gist of the I ity than one at 20 miles an hour. only 75 cents per night for a tent either. Didn't they just finish collect-1 sermon before St. Catherine’s audience While the division does not recom- space. 157,480 persons visited the state parks with only one vote cast against it. ing a 20% surcharge which netted dealt with the religious meaning of j mend driving at 20 miles an hour, it Members of the election board who Park use has greatly increased in in 1948. Tn 1952 the estimated at them many millions of dollars so they( the lives and experience.« of the ' does suggest that in heavy traffic the past few years. According to rec tendance was 5,390,421 people, over served were Mrs. R. C. Haseman, Mrs. (Continued on Page 4) Apostles. Ray Watkins, and Mrs. Earl Parker. i speed should be kept within reason. ords of estimated attendance some 2,- twice the 1948 figure. Jack Allaway Dies From Heart Attack Wm.M.Downing,86, Overnight Camping Dies, Heart Attack j Offered at Parks Santiam Saddle Club Traffic Deaths On Increase in Oregon Parkett Co. To Log Big Timber Track