Image provided by: North Santiam Historic Society; Gates, OR
About The Mill City enterprise. (Mill City, Or.) 1949-1998 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 1959)
Mrs. H. N. Wilson Writes u Glimpses Into the Past •—THE MILL CITY ENTERPRISE I hunting or prospecting trips,. A good ing gold. Mineral mines were also dis THURSDAY, FERRI ARY 26, 1959 lead pack horse was worth a fortune, covered on the Northfork—a coal Subscribe to The Mill City Enterprise Newspaper S3 a Year and the pride and joy of his owner. mine at Gates—besides the ever- The end horse was the next most re growing number of sawmill« to lure Marion county side, about where Jer liable, and could be counted on to stand men and families. // ry’s Tavern standy today. A large his ground. Those in between, which With the coming of the railroad, -awmill and the Postoffice was on might number 1, 2 or 3, were joined many Chinese had been imported for the Linn county side of the river on nose to tail in front, and if ail went 'labor, and later it wa- not uncommon land owned by H. N. Wilson, today. well good time was made. BLT. to find one or more left behind in a bend he immediately came upon the The schoolhouse, one room, with snakes, bees, bear or cougar coming growing settlement, who would labcr By Mrs. II. N. Wilson This being the time when everyone Tollgate entrance, and too late to pump on porch, stood on what is too close often upset man made plans, long and diligently for small fees. is looking “back” into Oregon's past, turn back and hide the saddle! After now at the Martha Bowes farm across and no typewriter can set down the Some gave laundry service. O’ e, a we thought it might be fun and in their loads were checked and toll fees . rom the Gates Airport. About three awful string of heircglyphics poured cook, was one of a few who had been teresting too. BUT, we’ll never be a iaken care of they only drove a short miles further east the town of Minto forth by the 'packer’ when trouble privileged to have a wife. But the historian! Jut try to reia’.c HMM ways before deciding to make camp, was growing steadily, there also was overtook him on the trail. wife had died and bural was in a small a schoolhouse, and a bridge across happening well known to most every for they had traveled far that day. Business places were open early plot within sight of hi- kitchen. Very About noon the next day, they the river at that point. Roads on the (no banker’s hours in those days) and often, prompted by his longing f -r her one—say the Great Chicago Fire about the turn of the centei y when stopped to cook their dinner, and the Marion County side had not been one could do their shopping or repair or because there was leftover rice, he Mrs. Murphy’s brown cow kicked over brother. Bob, had made a fire by the put through—all travel going up on ing and head homeward by early af could be seen pray--rfully carrying the the lantern which caused such a con roadside, in a sort of trench He then the Linn county side. The bridge at ternoon. Men did most of the going hot bowl of ri e, arms extended f r out flagration. Right off someone says, st.rred up a bat h of sour dough l-a es was located in the same gen and buying for their families. Only the in front, placing it on the niound and no, no, it was a black cow, and the biscuits (right in the top of the flour eral area as the one used today. Belle Watlings (of “Gone With the shortly returning to his w- rk. On e ladies name was Smith (or was it sack), and was cooking them in a Rumor has it that the one used at the Wind” fame) traveled much, but rum a bystander smiled broadly, and th» Brown), and EVERYBODY knows heavy iron skillet, tipping it to get time of this story blew down in a ors say a team of fast-stepping blacks Chinese hestitated a moment, then Mrs. Murphy is the gal who makes the reflected heat, when a heavy high wind, and was replaced by the could always be found for those “lad said sorrowfully (with the usual _ ___ __ old red covered one, most folks will team and wagon passed. A _ few __ mu- ies” who traveled in the early dusk Chinese confusion between our ‘r’s and CHOWDER See what I mean? Now, when Marco Polo wrote of ments later, the wagon stopped and a'recall. or just before dawn. “l”s) “You raff my lice—me raff you Men in these communities formed his 30 year’s travel in the Far and man came striding back to the fire f rowers”. When supplies had to be brot in, or Middle East, 100 years before Colum and put out his hand, saying “Howdy a large band, which had a large brass The little sawmills which depended at Ga*e$, Oregon word had been received that new ships bus, he used a Preface which went in Bob!” Taken by surprise, it was a section and played for many large would be arriving from “around the on men and horses gave way to the and happy gatherings and dances. part, as follows: ‘^Some things in moment before Bob recognized his is equipped to handle all types Horn”, perhaps bringing old friends ‘iron horse,’ which wound its way deed there be herein, which he be former employer in the John Day One 4th of July event was staged in or relatives, the heavy wagons would through al] our hills here and fed the of small engine rebuilding and held not: but these he heard from country! After a bit of news-gather an open pavillion, made of donated prepare to “roll”. Everyone in the set big sawmill towns where mar., and his men of credit and veracity!” We feel ing, as they called it. the employer lumber and free labor at the site of ! paycheck was owned by the Lumber repairing. Motel. Community tlement would make out a list of i Company. Wastes were enormous in this fits most suitably the following started that he knew and recognized the Oak Park his old “hand” by the way he handled sings were most popular and held things needed and one or two men the woods. Reportedly, man could glimpses. (called the Purser) would oversee the With means of travel, and high that skillet in cooking the sourdough often. purchasas, making substitutes when walk for miles on ‘down’ logs, never Here the couple lived until Febru ways such as we know to-day, dis bread! Many were the times, on the necessary. Money was always scarce, needing to set his foot on the earth tance is practically forgotten—one prairie, when he had watched him ary 1959 when they purchased pro Power Sau Bar Work and necessities came first, but the itself. But, finally, conservation has just GOES. Those who go hunting turn out a b tch of biscuits for the perty in the City of Gates, where prevailed, and the good earth is rap ladies then, as now) did a bit of ‘ wish- they still make their home—now 87 or fishing can zip from the coast to crew, done to perfection! i full thinking' and often a few extras idly growing more trees. The hills, ★ the end of the trails in Eastern Ore ' The cooks always carried their and 79 years of age, known to all us on the list, just in one case! One lady lakes and rivers still remain—our gon all in one day, and with little bat. h of ••starter” for their sour-| “Ned and Daisy” Richards, "•reatest ASSETS! And God Given. Early day travel in the wet Oregon who lived in the area which is now With the new superhighways, and the effort or expense. Back in 1905— dough bread. If something happened Chain Sharpening and Ke- Salem, had a fresh cow one spring,, well, on June Oth to be exact—a young to it, they borrowed a starter from country was often difficult, and trans speed of transportation, the future and her wish was for some Tin Milk I pairing couple and their 6-year-old daughter someone else. For meat they had sev portation took many twists. A horse Pans, liked thej- used to use back east, of Oregon is unlimited—but this par left John Day, Oregon on a one-way eral “hams” and “shouldms” of deer back was the only sure way of getting which were so easy to skim the' ticular area is a paradise for sports trip to Mill City where a new home and elk meat, which had been salted through many times. A heavy wagon ★ cream from. The caravan went to the I men, with recreational facilities for awaited them. Their househld goods and smoked at their John Day hon e two or four horses was needed for [ fast growing town of Portland, but in every member of the family, available before they left. This was sliced and freight. Many had canopy tops to pro and supplies had been loaded into all his searching, the purser could find most all the year ’round. Picnicing, Bring us your Ijt«71 Mower, two wagons; one called the freight fried, it d.d not require much cook tect the merchandise, and swayed bad no such items. Rather than go back swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, wagon driven by the wife's brother, ing however, when thin. However ly when loaded. Mud, as you can skiing, skating! empty handed, this particular buyer Pump or Garden Tractor En- the other to be their camp wagon, good, one longed for a change of diet imagine, played a big part. Going came up with a dandy solution, but Could we but see it, our greatest which held their food, clothing and sometimes, the wife told us, and down into a ‘draw’ and getting up opportunity for the future lies in gines for overhauling. daily needs. Two horses were hitched twice camp was made by a lake and out of it, and fording rivers, added made of heavy china, not tin. When sharing our Oregon Wonderland with ' the lady. Aunt Jenny, saw them, she of fish were salted down a big catch and peril. In case a wagon mired down, a to each load, leaving a mare was aghast! Blushing furiously, she others. All America is on the move, * small colt and a saddle pony to fol- and carried along on their trip. Com- young boy would walk out on the i accepted them however. Years later and with a hospitality similar to that ing to a roadside store just at dusk wagon tongue, unhitch the lead team, low or be led. for which the South is fam u-, or the The weather was warm, dry ami one evening, and needing bread, the 'imb >n one and take them to the she confided that "those six very friendly ‘Howdy’ known to Texas, All Work Guaranteed white, very large, oversize cups with roads well defined, but dusty— and man routed out the owner (it hid ear, vh-re it wrs hitcher up again tourist dollars can be harvested here, handles looked very pretty sitting on beginnings of a town all had the already closed up for the night), ai I . nil ‘he 1 id out backwards. This sort with no need for roulette or devious friendly sameness- a wooden general his wife finally said she could spare of ruse was used on a balky horse, al- my spring house shelf full of milk”. I means, because the beauty of old ★ store with hitchingposts or wracks a loaf, so he handed hei the prici so (I • t »• nv was heading home), (Some storekeepers with a twinkle in Mother Nature has never ceased to his eye, often named these ‘left hand both front and back. Their gait was one ruckle, returned to his wa, n but tale were told of more drastic thrill mankind. We can find no better ed sugar bowls’.) slow but steady, and about 30 miles and started on. Minutes later ti meth i-, like building a fire under the slogan than: was average for a day! Breakfast storekeeper' wife cam running do n' poor critter. Mehama grew to be a very busy GATES—Gateway to a Sport-man's A« tat" a.. 1931, pack horses could crossroads town—the river often low l Paradise! was cooked and eaten bet re they the roaj after them and handed him Phom» 7351 Gates, Oregon started out each day; noon day din a handful of money! It seems, in the be seen heading east up the canyon, anil easy to cross in early days. Many | SUBSCRIBE TO THE MILL CITY ner was a hearty one, with left over dusk, he had handed her a $5 gold going to the Lakes for fishing, or on traveled to the Quartzv 'If area hunt- I LX l'FRl’RISE TODAY: $3.00 a Year food wrapped and carried on for their piece, (very common 1 en) m!str;-| supper, if pos-ible, which wa- eaten mg it for a nickle. Fo- tu ■ i ioj ’. pa c. as soon as "camp” was made just people were honest in those da ■*. before dusk and everything settled though most agreed it did not pay to with travelers for the night Few thought it wise get took friendly along the way. to travel by night. Then on through Swisshome, Fos- : The r trip took them through Prine ville, Mitchell, Redmond and Sisters ter, Lebanon and on uo to Scio whk h I toward the mountains. The Santiam was a flourishing little town. They Pass was unknown then, of course, all were allowed to camp inside the city travel going south through Post and limits, in a vacant lot with a picket on to the much talked of Tollgate fence on two sides. The horses were Roa- Rumor had it that one paid tied to a section of the picket fence. toll on everything owned, but it was Th-- small colt got too nosey, and generally conceded to be worth it meandered off, too far. it seems, for since the owner maintained a good the mare, who finally whinnied shril road all the way through his land. ly, reared up on her hind legs, and After leaving Post quite a distance broke loose, taking a section of the they put n saddle on the pony and fence with her as she cantered out the brother,Bob, was to rule ahead to into the street. Police came quickly, reconnoiter a bit. It seems the toll from all directions, and the young was .so much for a horse, but as couple feared a bit of trouble, but much as $2.50 for a horse with addle. the police only wanted to help, and But as he trotted along mound a mare and colt were soon in their places again. Territory was more familiar now, as the young couple had been ra sed on this section, and at Mehama they met and talked to many they had known. After passing Lyons they met an oldtime friend, an older man Be tween named Hobson, and with a studies! Portland-Salem-l<Lui ha look he remarked “Why, Daisy, you're all way points tanned!" Daisy smiled, but hid her Allied Van Linen Agent eyes with her sunbonnet, (ladies did Local & Nationwide not SASS or make smart remarks in those days, but inside she thought, Household Moving “If you had been where I've been Stayton I’hone KO 1ME870 these past two weeks you'd be TAN, SnJein EM 3-1686 too.) SHIP IT WBIGHT Their last meal on the road was fixed at noon in the shade of the old red six-sided barn which stood until about 10 years ago, on the farm now owned by Jack Johnston, near Lyons. This old landmark, sturdy with high Don't Worry.. six gable roof will be remembered by many and was reportedly built at least 30 years previously by a man tiam«l Bill Surrey. Then on up te Mill City, to a home on the north side among the hills, the site of the orig inal homestead of her mother, Mrs. L. J. Thomas, who had proved up on the land under President Benjamin Harrison, 1888-1893. They had been 18 days on the road. Weather had been most perfect all the way. The looked forward to the future., arui knew they would be hap py here. There was wood for fuel everywhere; wild game and rabbits; Say it with FLOWERS all the fish you could want, any time you dropped a hook tn the water. A JuK pkk up v<»ur couple of men could go a short ways and «.*¿11 us and within a into the hills after breakfast and •Korf time a lH*autlfnl Ho** er have meat for dirner as many as gilt . . • perfect foe the six or eight deer might be brought . .will be os» i • down at a time—there was no limit, tpeedv way to thotc yon IF YOU DO THEN ADVERTISE REGULARLY but meat was not wasted. Dressed out wint to remember and hung in a shelter, it was shared < fwi if re IN THE MILL CITY ENTERPRISE. with others in need of meat. Hams «nd rnrrnhei U m shoulders were salted heavily and BEST COVERAGE OF THE UPPER CANYON OF later smoked about as pork is cured • wiihMilUfRV today. Steaks were salted, peppered ANY NEWSPAPER IN THE WORLD. HV WIRF Sal.. and sugared and stored layer for irW layer in earthen crocks- kept for We Also Specialize in weeks and delicious when friend. Women knew all the native plants, COMMERCIAL PRINTING gathering such as horehound, Ore consult us on your next order. gon grape, elderberry, yarrow and FLORIST caseara (or Chittum. as the Indians called it) in the summer, and after & NURSERY 1 «in-rig. »tired it for later use in case of illness. Mi. RO 9 2531 The railroad had been put through — a roon irg and boarding house at 319 W Wash. Stayton Gates was run by the young wife's un»le. Alb rt Cates. This w*s on the SAW SHOP Marshall's Saw Shop WRIGHT TRUCK LINE It's Neve? F CUSTOMERS IUEIGH HAROLD
