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
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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 |
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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