Lane County Historian

Doll House Replica of Peters-Lèston-Wintermeier House, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Chase to Lane County Pioneer Museum Courtesy Mrs. Clarence Chase

LANE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Vol. XVII, No. 4 Eugene, Oregon Winter, 1972 LANE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Mrs. C. A. Huntington, 740 West 13th Street, Eugene, Oregon 97402 President Stuart W. Hurd, Rt. 2, Box 345, Eugene, Oregon 97401 Membership Secretary LANE COUNTY HISTORIAN Inez Long Fortt (Mrs. James 0. Fortt) __1ditor 3870 Watkins Lane, Eugene, Oregon 97405 The Lone County Historian is a quarterly publication of the Lane County Historical Society, a non.profit organization. Membership in the Lane County Historical Society includes subscription to the Lane County Historian. Annual dues: $3.00; family membership: $5.00.

CONTENTS THE CHRISTMASES THAT WERE 63 By Lucia W. Moore, author and poet Author, "The Story of Eugene" written in collaboration with sisters, Nina W. McCornack (now deceased) and Gladys W. Mecready Author, "Wheel on the Hearth," "Old Fashioneds," short stories

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S ORNER 72 By Hallie Huntington (Mrs. C. A. Huntington) President of the Lane County Historical Society

THE SMEED HOTEL AND THE QUACKENBUSH STORE 77 By Inez Long Fortt, editor, Lane County Historian

Eu9... ot the turn of lb. century Courtesy of Luau Moore 62 if/he Chris1rnaoeo if1hat 'I/Vere By Lucia Moore Christmas is in the air. We can agreement between some shop own- feel it and smell it. For, changed ers and St. Nicholas to avoid load- as it seems, it is a Birth and not ing the sleigh too soon and push- the hustle and tussel we make 'f ing it down Main Street? To be it. People have changed, not Christ- sure, the grocer's candy barrels mas. Our streets are bright, our were bulging in December; he most shops elegant, our friends eager certainly would have oranges when and hurried; but somewhere there he could find some. All the apples are still shepherds in the quiet hills. were shinier than usual and the And I think there are prayers. shelves held ears of unshelled pop- We can go back to our own quiet corn along with the good wire mesh hills and to the open, wide prairie poppers with handles as long as a land; to the Christmases we knew broom's. But mostly, thefe were in our valley with their gentle si- only more men sitting longer hours lences, their soft, rainy mornings around hotter pot-bellied stoves; and foggy ones and, sometimes, and more and busier women at fields, hills and small towns white home scheming and d r e a m ii g and sleepy under the snow. Time about Santa's work while tying the was sane then, and slow to move. sawdust safely back in dolls' leak- There were evenings shared around ing arms and legs, or pushing a log fire while we listened to peddles on Singer sewing machines, talk of the first Christmases our so new and helpful. grandparents and great grandpar- No one had Santa's address. No ents knew in a pioneer land. Beside one made demands. And among t h o se hard earned holidays we children the suspense was terrific. wide-eyed children thought ours all My first mind-picture of Christ- polished, well filled and beautiful. mas seems to be of wreaths in our And in the talk there was the windows and of fir garlands along sound of sleighbells from Illinois or the high lifting stairway bannister Maine and of Christmas fireworks in the big house where I was born. from North Carolina, Virginia and Possibly it was a!bout 1890; why Tennessee, with all the December when I was three, I wouldn't know remembering. We were a little en- now, but maybe the sharp memory vious of grandfather's vast world. is due to the smell of the fir boughs However, in our stores on the that, stripped of most of t he i r main streets we could discover a beauty, burned frighteningly in the few sleds, red mittens and hoods, fireplace. Some may remember the sometimes boots; and oh, wonders, pale green house that stood so red kid shoes and china dollseven early on "Eugene City's" Ninth a rare bisque one. Merchants who Street (now Broadway) and Char- refused to let it be known that nelton, where the Eon Marche now Santa was about to take over from covers our whole quarter block. our parents went right on filling The house was never any color but windows with blankets, churns and soft greenI suspect because it yardgoods, which, after all, made glorified the many, many t r e e s up the bulk of needed gifts. Busi- father a n d mother h a d planted ness could wait with the children there. Across Ninth and south of for Christmas morning and Santa's us was the tall, pinkish house of doings. Was there some sort of H o r a c e C r a i n whose thousand 63 clocks ticking in his jewelry store and as strict as a banker's busi- on Willamette Street I still hear ness; the Crams, tall and shuttered wonderingly. Who wound them all? from the outside. On the others the Who but Mr. Cram? Catty-corner shutters were inside, and our house across the muddy intersection, the was shuttered only in its big east big home of my Uncle and Auntie diningroom. Holt loomed among trees, its tall It seems strange to think that windows marvelously rounded at in those late 1880s there were but the top. West, across Charnelton, 2500 people in Eugene, "with some was the white house of Thomas 224 students," says history, "at- Grundy Hendricks, one of the tending the university." The rutted founders, and president, of the al- streets were lined by wooden side- most new First National Bank, wa]ks, many of them built high off just two blocks away. There were the ground to escape flood waters trees in the Hendricks yard, too, that sometimes came. Most of the and beds of forgetmenots and maid- curbs were wide, g r ass ed, and en hair fern behind a white picket proud of their maples, locust trees, fence, a grape arbor, a big barn or elms and poplarseven now- far out of view, and horses, with and-then an apple or cherrytree. fringe-topped carriage that came I spoke especially of the win- and went, sometimes with a black dows. At Christmas time the par- driver holding the reins. lor ones were never so black-dark We all had barnsat least those as on other winter nights. There of us who drove teams to carriages might be a lamp in one, or a or wagons, or a single horse to candle to light the Christ Child, but phaeton or buggy. Also, there were never a sight there of a Christmas many other contraptions on wheels tree until Christmas Eve, for the that would cope with the mud and tiny candles on its branches were dust. Father had one or two horses gold-precious and eyed every min- always; our first carriage was long, ute as they burned down much too with three leather seats, one back- quickly in their tin holders, mak- ward riding one where my sister ingit necessary for a papa to Nina and I rode and sometimes hustle, putting them out by means felt seasick. Our barn had room of a long-handled snuffer. As for too for a cow, one just at first. lighted streets, there were none, Later the cow barn stood across really. Here and there a street lamp our alley, and housed two, usually such as Charles Dickens knew and jerseys. wrote about, made a small glow Our fence was black iron, not half way down the block after the really handsome iron grille b u t lamplighter came at dusk with overlapping four-foot-high arches his ladder; but arc lights came where frost made beauty in the later, strung high above street in- spiderwdbs on a cold winter morn- tersections to sputter and "arc" at ing. The wide east gate almost al- their carbon will. ways stood open for the goings My first sharp memory of a real and comings of the carriage or the Christmas morning is of the good high seated buggy. I especially re- smell of breakfast in mother's kit- member the windows o ft h o s e chen and of father calling "Merry houses on Eugene's first "four cor- Christmas, children!" as he came ners." Ours were narrow, and as I from milking two cows and putting said, high, and squared off at their down feed for Black Hawk, our tops with decorative lintels. The spirited black horse. I was three or Hendricks windows were as plain four. My sisters and m y o 1 d e r 64 brother were in school, and I knew p a s t Governor Whiteaker's b i g they were doing the things Central white house on Tenth, then shroud- School planned for Christmas and ing my Auntie Holt's even bigger when we were eating buckwheat house, then the Cram's and Hen- pancake breakfast in the dining- dricks' and at last the big wet room I left my chair to show them flakes settling on our lawn and I could write my name on the foggy trees. Rarely, it came from the window. Or it might have been north, blotting out the other high frost. It was cold in spite of the Butte, Skinner's, and 'b 10 wiflg Franklin stove. across in blizzard wind, to stay on Christmas m o r n i n g was for long enough for the sleighride I stocking discoveries by the corner craved. I never did have but one, fireplace in the sittingroom, but and that, the night before I was I don't think I ever worried about born! There was only one sleigh Santa coming down the chimney. around,it seemed, and that one Actually, our mother never made must be thtained from the livery a big deal of Santa. Because she stable doing business between our was our mother there was magic block and the First National Bank. everywherein our books and in I might add that across from the the big family Bible, in forests, big stable there was the Weinhard in our spring g a r d e n and in Brewery with its all day and all the every-April blossoming cherry night chuc, chuc, chuc as it made trees in our east yard. The story (as far as I knew) the ice we would of a Birth and a m a n g e r was need in summer to pack the hand a part of the magic she taught us. turning ice cream freezer. The most wondrous part. If she The thing I found most mysteri- ever mentioned a real visiting Santa ous in that block between Olive I must have discounted it a little, and Willamette was the Chinese at least as soon as I learned that "Laundly" where the porch roof some of my best gifts came from sprouted green grass and pig-tailed father's drug store and the gro- Chinese grew lilies and kept lichi cer's. Or from our own dark base- nuts for my Christmas while they ment where the big polished apple washed and ironed many a shirt. in my striped stocking had been On Christmas Eve there they came, stored (unpolished). But pictures to our door with the sweet smell- of the red-suited old boy persuaded ing Chinese lilies and the magic quite another part of me that he lichi nuts. And big smiles, with a would be along when he got good "Melly Clistmas!" Who cared that and ready, and that seemed an in- papa's shirts sometimes came home terminable time while mother late? showed us how to cut stars by Not Christmas m o r n i n g, but means of strange foldings of gold Christmas Eve was tree lighting or silver paper and how to sew, time, and when the wired up screen with darning needle and yarn, net of white sheets came down from boots for nuts and candy. across the south end of the parlor Beside all that, waiting for Christ- who cared 'that there was no snow mas seems a time of standing at across the hills and town roofs and our front bay window waiting for lawns? There was now on the Brus- the snow that hardly ever came in sels carpet, obliterating its pink time. It was more apt to be a soft roses, and on the branches of the gray January or February veil, Douglas fir, or of the tall pine or hiding Spencer Butte, then coming cedar, whatever father had found slowly, oh slowly, to our corner, that would reach the high ceiling. I 65 knew very well that he never de- curled, with Maude, Frank, Nina, pen'ded on Santa to furnish our mother and father handing her to tree but had it hauled from the each other, and there, on a chair, mountains, or from our own farm was the very large box she would land a cro s s the millrace from occupy under the tree. I sneaked Deady Hall. One time I remember away on a sweet cloud. But the having a naked, strangely shaped doll, already named by me, I don't oak tree, beautiful and different know now what, did not get to our beyond belief with its moss cov- tree. She just never came. And I ered branches. No telling what we'd never dared ask why. Not, at least, see! Once there were two firs side until I was grown and could for- by side with Frank's !big Newfound- give my own cheating. Mother ex- land dog, Queen, hitched to his plained then. Dolls were expensive sled. I'm sure trees and sled and and she was one of the worst, and dog were a distraction from the was boxed and returned to the idea of gifts that year, and it may store. Mother was appalled that I have been the panic year of 1893. had seen the doll. Of that I am There was another one w h e n a still ashamed. lesser fir stood in the corner of No matter what was under our the sittingroom, and that had only tree, it was always bright with the an orange and an apple for me popcorn we had strung, from the and for Nina, with a game of wire popper on a long handle; with checkers to be shared. But that I the cut-out stars, and the paper recall as one of my most loved chains we'd fought, that hardly and excited times, for I delighted ever stuck, home-made paste be- in the sittingroom with its bright ing what Nina and I made of it; corner fireplace. Another year, in and against the ceiling was, through that same room, my most cher- all the years, the glittering twelve ished doll, an o 1 d o n e n e w 1 y inchtallangel, almost old even dressed in a red skating costume when I knew her, with a slight and long black hairreal hair candle scorch on one wing, but still with muff and trimmings of white the regal sign that God, after all, eiderdown, was my very greatest gave men and children His great doll thrill. gifts, and always would. And re- I seem to have had doll troubles. minding us of The Manger born- By the time I was grabby about ing. dolls Nina had ceased to want them, Think of God's gifts as we might, preferring a jockey cap and riding the Church Christmas tree always whip or high gum boots, but she interfered with o u r s, because it still owned the one doll buggy in came Christmas Eve, too, making our house. When we walked the us hurry to get there in time to see mile to Grandmother's far up by Santa Claus coming b a c k w a r d the University she (Nina) did the down a ladder from the big round pushing m o st of the way, so I window above the Methodist choir made do with pushing hers a little loft. His suit was much like the way, and began to plan instead on red undersuit that usually hung a big, fine doll. At orders to get outside Mr. Saunders' second hand lost and stay away from the kit- store, only stuffed fuller and not chen I did no such thing, aware flying about in the wind. I was that the whole family was gathered something of a show-off, and some- there. I waited around and peeked times had a piece to speak, but through the keyhole. There she after while when the baby sister was, long and ruffled and blond came along she took over from me, 66 against her will. One of the Eve's coln's delaration;all things em- when she was t h r e e she disap- bittering to the sincere people who peared from our tree and we looked believed that Oregon should have everywhere, calling and worrying. been a slave territory and state. Finally father said "The little ras- Father was thirteen at the War's cal has gone on to the church!" beginning and sometimes spoke of Well, it was three dark blocks and the days he heard the frightening we hurried there, dashing into the word. He was helping his father sanctuary in time to see lit t 1 e build a gatea wide gate leading Gladys, her bonnet hanging be- to barns and pasturewhen a rider hind her pale blue coated shoul- dashed up to shout to grandfather ders as she said, from the rostrum, that Fort Sumter had been fired "... an all through the house not upon. But that was some weeks a cweatuh was stuhhing, not even after April 12th in 1861. Grand- a mouse . ."after which she father, tall Scotsman that he was, reached for her share of the last stood there with hammer in his bags of candy and tumbled down hand, staring at the rider'ho had the low steps. Until she went to sped along the East Side Territor- school she talked like a little sure- ial Road. After a minute of silence enough pickaniny. he said, "God help us!" Now I am made to think that it Father, who walked his bareftiot had been only a short time back to miles to school in summer, had war-time Christmases, as time and not been told much about north history go. The and south, or about slavery. "What had been settled by north and south, will it mean, Pa?" he begged, and by Virginia,Tennessee, N o r t h Mitchell Wilkins shook his head. Carolina and by Illinois and New He had come to Oregon Country York and other northern states, when he was twenty-five, a young largely with some time spent along tobacco grower on Missouri river- the Missouri before further ven- bottom land, who had not owned turing. But with war, families were slaves but had sometimes needed divided. West of Eugene, on the them; and now he could see how slow Long Tom river where mistle- the raw, open west had needed toe grew heavy in the oak trees, them on its vast acreage. But he Southerners still flew their Con- still felt, as he had felt in the south, federate flag, there were still fire- that no matter how great the need works at Christmas. Some Christ- slaves must some time become free mas parties in Eugene and smaller men and women. He tried, finally, towns ended infistfights a n d to answer young Marion. Between worse; yet people managed to gath- harder than ever hammer blows er in the new County Courthouse he said, "It has to mean freedom on Eighth Street in Eugene to sing if it ever can-4or the negro!" carols among the fir trees that his- "But war, Pa!" tory says lined the courtroom walls. The hammering stopped. "That's War news reached here slowly, by just it. But war!" and they went way of steamer-carried letters from up the slope and into the down- San Francisco. Many after-war let- south type house to try to tell ters arrived at my grandfather's grandmother. pioneer home in the Coburg hills Then, think of a nine year old, to be delivered from the six-foot muddy little town bringing people box that was the Willamette Forks from the Long Tom and all the postoffice, and which told of the small settlements into a three year surrender of Lee and discuss Lin- old County Courthouse to try to 67 tell them, while Christmas carols dump t h e i r loads of popcorn. and fighting went on, that they Aghast, I couldn't shut my eyes. must and could work together to- WHAT would poor Miss McClure ward a free state. When Grand- do? She was wondering the same father told us about it in front of thing, but she whispered to Otto our Christmas fire my toes curled and he brought the broom and dust and my heart beat faster. They pan from its corner. More time, still do! while poor, inventive Miss Jennie We never went to grandfather's did the only possible thing. Red for winter holidays. The roads were faced and frightened, she and Otto far too deep with mud, even some- rescued the lovely white grains, times under flood waters between put them 'back in the lanterns and the and the Mc- mended the wire. Kenzie. Grandfather's wagon and I had ducked my head good by heavy tea m could travel winter the time she said, "Now you may roads that a light team and car- look, children!" We looked, and riage would never attempt. And maybe everyone but 'bad me was Grandfather sometimes came on surprised. I can't help doubting it horseback. as I remember. And I hope dear Strangely enough, I knew very Jennie McClure will forgive me for little about C h r is t m a s in our telling, rest her wonderful soul. I friends' homes or in the homes of know the good Lord forgave her. A my schoolmates. At school we did few dusty splinters were kinder all the things teachers could think than t h i r t y disappointed young- up, and I recall particularly one sters. And the bright little lanterns surprise planned by my second were a fine sight, to be carried grade teacher, Mi s s Jennie Mc- home cherishedand to make me Clure. The room in the Central ashamed. I only claim one small School was big and cold, except on graceI never told an y o n e, in the side where a bellied black stove school or out. Just like that doll roared and crackled, that winter time, I didn't dare, for my own afternoon j u s t before we would sake. rush out for our holiday vacation. There was another doll event, "We will now have our Christ- about the time I was in the second mas surprise," Miss McClure said, grade. I was big enough to climb with her prim, slim faced smile. "I up on a chair to search on the will ask you all to bow your heads closet shelf for the big doll I kept down on your desks, shut your expecting. Instead of a long box I eyes and fold your arms on your found a round one like the hat desks to make your heads com- boxes mother sometimes brought fortable. Do not peek, any of you! home, boxes fascinating with And will Otto please come to help pretty feathered or flowered hats. me?" I let myself down precariously, sat 'Otto duly rose and we folded our on the chair and opened the box. arms for pillows and put heads Good grief, there was a white muff, down in 'breathless suspense. There curly as a lamb and just the size was quite a time of footsteps and for my hands. Who's else? A neck whisperings. Quite a long time. piece,soft, broad and beautiful Such a while that I couldn't en- circled around a pasteboard frame dure it. And I peeked. I looked out whose furs were these but mine? from an elbow just in time to see I can smell the mothballs yet. In a a long wire break, letting most of hurry if ever I was, I put on the the miniature Chinese I a n tern s round cover and managed to clam- 68 ber up to replace my find. Another the next year, I think, that she de- shining cloud on which to wait, and cided what she would give father that time I was sure, with the for 'Christmas. She and he were smell of mothballs following me great pals. 'She went with him to around until the furs were actually the evening milking and did some mine. hay pitching down into the animal My four year old sister often stalls, too. She was allowed to sit made, and sometimes did carry out, by him on the high buggy seat her own big Christmas plans. Once when he raced Black Hawk around it was to build, with her own hands the new, sporty track in Merriau's and the help of a kitchen knife, the Park (the reason for jockey cap doll buggy I was always hoping for, and whip), so now it was Christmas and she accepted me as a spectator and she would return his go o d during the process. We collected deeds. cigar boxes, always to be had from There was little holiday glamor the drug store, and a safe, dull case along Willamette 'Street that year, knife. Our three legged "parlor but of all the windows between 9th grand" Mathushek , ordered street and 7th, Cal Young's butcher from Chicago with great hope that shop w i n d o w was best, aglow one daughter at least might learn with green and red tissue paper to play it, stood in front of the frills, mistletoe from the oak trees big north window in the parlor, and on his farm across the river, and a we crawled in under it with our lovely, fancy4rimmed Ii t tie p i g materials until we were far out of clutching a red apple in its mouth. mother's sight. The small panes When Nina saw that window she of yellow, purple, blue and red hurried home to whisper glass filtered their colored lights that Christmas at our house was onto Nina's hands as she drew a going to be a very big time, with a circle around a plate on one of the wonderful surprise. I was happy to cigar box lids, then began to cut. find myself in on the surprise as Nina never allowed anything to we trundled the tin wagon left defeat her, and so she tried, the over from our 'brother's young days edge of the lid punched hard out of the dark basement, secretly against her stomach, and tried. And across the lawn, out the carriage tried. She did make a little prog- gate. No questions from the house, ress, and then she suddenly quit so we proceeded along 9th past and threw up. The pink roses on the Chinese laundry, past the brew- the carpet were in such a mess ery and livery stable, past the bank, that I 'began to cry. at which corner we turned north- Mother came running from be- ward. Red wagon squeaking from hind her c los e d bedroom door, age, we pulled it along the wooden where she was doing Santa Claus' sidewalk past Mr. Friendly's Dry work on her sewing machine. She Goods Store and Schwarzschild's was turning around an d saying, Book shop, past the high-domed "Children! Where are you?" When and impressive Hovey corner and she pulled us from under the grape the Wilkins Drug Store, hurrying carved piano, Nina's fine plan ex- a little there for fear father might ploded in her pale face, and I was see us. It seemed a shame not to go forced to give up even the round, in as usual and see how the rock lovely top for my dream of a doll candy jar looked, pink or white, buggy. but we resisted, curiosity driving Another of that sister's plans me on my tired legs. Finally, near- was out and out successful. It was ing 7th, N in a s 1 o w e d at Mr. 69 Young's window with its glorious, tricycles with Ruby Hendricks and mouth-watering but naked pig. See- Agnes Harris and the little Lauer ing its be a u t y,all edged with girl, I clung there, my short arms smilax, 1 began to doubt our plan. just reaching around her. (It was ours by now. Only I left Mr. Young was really smiling as the deal to Nina). She was really he tied the last of the heavy string, ready. She had on her best plaid lifted the package from the round coat and a straw hat tied under cutting block and stored it in our her chin. Her chin was up and her wagon. Do you have five dollars? eyes were big as Mr. Young looked And I hope Marion likes your gift!" at us over his counter. You can charge it to papa," Nina "Hello, little girls," he said. said. With the secret well wrapped, "What can I do for you with your and with me walking in my high red wagon?" buttoned shoes, we went out and "Please, I want the pig," she along the east side of the street, told him, pointing. "The pig in the past Mr. Goldsmith's pleasant window." smelling cigar shop, past Mr. "You don't say!" Mr. Young's Dunn's Dry Goods, past two sa- cheeks were always pink but they loons where there were clinking, were pinker now. "You want my Christmassy s o u n d s coming out pig! My Christmas pig? And what under the small shuttered doors, would you do with him, little Nina then past the hotel under the bare Wilkins?" maple trees. This December day She was very earnest. "I would there were no chairs tipped against give him to papa for Christmas. the hotel, with men sitting, and And mama would roast it"she glad of that, we turned the corner, said it this time "and papa will bound for home and a hiding place love it." for the pig. I suppose our Christmases were Mr. Young didn't laugh at her much like all the other valley ones. the way I was afraid he would. At any rate, these are mine. As I "It's an expensive pig," he said. write words on paper the sounds I "How much?" have been listening to were not "Five dollars. You see, he was sounds of my typewriter keys, but lots of work, and hehe really of church 'bells and greetings; of weighs quite a few pounds." the dug of wagons and teams in My full-of-ideas sister nodded. the mud, and of the soft falling "That's all right. We can haul him snowhow it was when rain fell in our wagon. Lucia rode some of against a 'barn roof, sweet and the way here, but she can walk clean enough to drink when you home." caught it in a rain barrel. Of the I had not thought ahead to that, frightening sound of a run-away and four blocks seemed pretty far, team, or of the firbeIl in the tower but I wanted the pig too. "I could of the 'City Hall, and the soft "Go ride with him," I suggested, watch- 'long, yo' mule!" as friendly black ing the pig being wrapped up in Wylie tried to move the first street butcher's paper, but Nina said that cars. Then of the wonderful clat- would make too many pounds. She ter of horses feet on real pavement, knew, all right, because she was the length of main street's few always having to let me sit on the blocks. tricycle back seat father had caused And after a while, the first gar- to be built. Even when she raced lands of mountain fir and pine 70 along those blocks made new I think of these people, these beauty, while Mr. Dunn and Mr. places, these things we knew, and Friendly and others brought big- for all of them I have a fresh, new ger sleds and dolls, more people love and appreciation. Almost as carried home bigger packages than if I had gone back again into the the ones father slipped through best of small towns and the loveli- our clark back hall at dusk on est of valleys. Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas!

The Francis Marion Wilkins Home Courtesy of Lucia Moore

Childhood portraits of the Wilkins sisters Courtesy of Lucia Moore 71 Jrom u/he /0re3denls Corner The Lane County Historical So- this unusual structure will be de- ciethas had a busy and some- molished. Every single piece of the times exciting year in 1972. building was brought around "The 'Perhaps our greatest achieve- Horn" by sailing vessel to Port- ment was the moral backing which land from France. Laboring oxen we were able to give to historic brought it to Eugene, where it was preservation. This appears to have assembled. It has not always stood been a year of awakening among upon its present site, but survived many of our people; that our price- a move without the displacement less and irreplaceable treasures are of a single shingle, due toits vanishing right in front of their sturdy construction. Through the eyes! Our active Historic Preserva- cooperation of the Eugene Hotel tion Committee with Philip Dole as and its manager, Mr. Fairchild, we chairman, managed to help save were able to hold a very special the old and much loved Quacken- meeting when its miniature of per- bush Building, that has been a fection was shown for the first time Eugene landmark since 1903. The and after a short program, was venerable Smeed Hotel (first called presented to the Lane County His- the Baker) will remain standing, torical Museum by Mrs. C h a s e. but will be converted into a busi- This was her gracious way of add- ness building with office space. An- ing to our preservation and en- other unused building on 5th Street couraging others to become inter- has become the Grainary, a popu- ested. Our always willing cookie lar eating place with 'atmosphere." bakers and refreshment committee This was done through the efforts served more than 400. Several ar- of architect Otto Poticha, who has tists displayed their original work been of the greatest assistance to at the back of the crowded large our committee. dining room of the hotel. Viewing Eugene, one can under- Mrs. Chase, due to ill health, has stand better how "The Walls of been made an honorary board mem- Jericho C a me Tumbling Down!" berthe second one ever given by Every day another familiar land- our Society. mark disappears. On the occasion of the Chase's Several splendid programs were 50th wedding anniversary, held at offered through the year. One of the Eugene Country Club, the ex- the most exciting and rewarding quisite model was again on display. was the "unveiling" of the exquisite It was greatly enjoyed and there Doll House, which Mrs. Clarence was a constant flashing of lights as Chase, board member, has worked photographers crowded around to with an artist to create over a take it from every angle. As soon period of two years. A real treas- as adequate accommodations can ure, it is an exact replica of the be arranged at the Lane County home of Mrs. Gail Wintermeier, Museum it will be a featured at- located at 1611 Lincoln Street. traction. Built in the early 1860's, this is an One of our members has become outstanding example of Gothic type a contributor to the Magazine Sec- architecture, which has been photo- tion of the Register Guard, with graphed and sighed over by many. stories of early days on the Mo- With Lincoln Street being rezoned hawk River. Mr. Claude Hammit to multiple dwelling itis feared has a delightful way with words 72 Courtesy, Mrs. Clarence Chase Courtesy, Lane County Pioneer Museum N Peters-Leston-Wintermejer House at 1611 Lincoln Street Peters-Leston-Wintermejer House at 1611 Lincoln Interior, Doll House Replica, Peters-Leston-Wintermeier House and uses them to weave stories of to stop a headache, relief from dan- long ago that are vivid and highly druff and snake bites are all cov- entertaining. Another board mem- ered. Some of the remedies are a ber, Mrs. Leah Menefee, is collabor- bit startling! ating on a story of the Lost Wagon Our dependable program chair- Train of 1853 upon which she has man, Ethan Newman, has come up done monumental research.Re- with some exceptional programs tired Professor Alfred Lomax, also that have proven to be both educa- a board member has completed a tional and entertaining. We collab- book on the early woolen mills of orated with the Museum on two Oregon. This, too, should soon be that drew amazing crowds. T h e off the press. first, Early Railroading, was put A substantial gift of money came together by the newly formed Rail- to this Society from one of our road Buffs group and featured a members, with the stipulation that film in sound and color, which had 'been collected and sound tracked it be used to buy books for the by Mr. Don Hunter, head of the Lane County Museum Library, and Audio-Visual Department a t t h e such other needs as we may have. . Ringing of Already, the book buying commit- the bell, the huff, chuff of the en- tee has spent more than $600.00 on gine and hoarse whistle that carefully chosen books of Oregon warned drivers of "skittish" teams and Northwest History. Great care that the great, iron monster was is being taken that all books added "comin' 'round the 'bend," brought are authentic. We are urging any- back nostalgic memories. It was one who may have such books to necessary to run three showings contact our Historian Editor, who to accommodate the crowd. is chairman of the committee on 'Our most recent program, with acquisition. Often, we learn, too the Museum, was on old time log- late, that some estate has been ging. This film was cleverly done broken up and the precious books by Ron Finne. Starting with ox destroyed. team logging, then going chrono- Your society feels a responsibility logically through the horse logging to assist the Museum in every way days; spar tree climbing and rig- possible and urges those of you, ging for "Hi-Ball" logging; River who have been "putting off" taking driving was a slow and laborious your treasures there for safe keep- method that is now a 'forgotten art. ing and for future generations to It was a thrill to see men pitting enjoy and learn of the past; There their strength and skill against a is no time like the present! Hope- mighty river as they rode a bound- fully, the Museum will be enlarged ing log through Black Canyon, with to accommodate a greater number only a peevey to help them balance of artifacts from by-gone genera- and keep their precarious footing. tions. Loggers of the old school handled Newsletters have announced our the narration, using terminology Public Interest meetings and have that too, is almost forgotten. Don- carried a wide variety of items; key engine logging brought back some in answer to questions that memories as one listened to the are often asked, others from stories shrill, pop-off valve as the engine, learned from our "oldtimers" along laboring under a full head of steam, with "recipes" gleaned from the as it wrestled a stubbornly resisting American Family Recipe B o o k, log to the landing. Two showings published in 1847; Cold cures, how accommodated over 1,000 people. 74 Our cookie and coffee department ability made a crayon drawing of had visions of "The loaves and this man who had added so much to fishes!" Somehow they managed, Oregon's history. Framed, it hangs as always, to meet the unexpected on the wall of his former home. demand. Two of our members, with excellent Sandwiched in between was a camera equipment and light bars delightful program presented at took pictures of the drawing. When Harris Hall by Mr. Herb Yenne the films were developed there was and Cy Wright, retired men who not a trace of Jesse. Those who live in Corvallis. Their fascinating live in the house, hint darkly that hobby is photographing the many they h a v e g ho s t s,because of facets of Oregon. Covered bridges, strange noisesfootsteps, when no in color, referred to in the "Horse one can be found and other annoy- and Buggy Days" as Sparking ing and often disturbing sounds. Bridges, were a delight and when Perhaps it is just Jesse Applegate, the audience asked for more they making sure that no one gets his obliged by showing "The s e Old picture! Houses." Artistically shown in color Our active Publications Commit- were some of the most unusual teeisc o n t i n u i n g to produce architecture and styles of building diaries, both of plains crossings and in dates of 1850 through 1900. Our of early settlement days. These famous Coffee Crew a d d e d the have gone to the major libraries final touch and everyone expressed of the United States, where we have eagerness to have these two tal- standing orders, as well as to many ented men back soon again. Mr. individuals. They have been the fi- Yenne narrated as Mr. W r i g h t nancial life-blood of this organiza- showed the slides. tion. Our greatest difficulty is that Many of our members attended we never "think" large enough! the dedication of the Dr. Lee house The issues are gone before the de- in Junction City, which was re- mand ceases. Several have had to cently purchased by the Junction be reprinted. Another is now being City HistoricalSociety.Starting prepared. After our society was re- with the vast collections of Clar- organized in the mid-1950's it was ence Pitney, long a member of the often necessary to "pass the hat" Lane County Board of directors, its among the board members to pay success is already assured and the our bills. A handsome permanent new organization has c a u s e for award was given to the society for pride and satisfaction. Now, we are the excellence of this committee wondering how Clarence manages work. to survive without being sur- At our annual pot-luck picnic, rounded by everything from horse held on the Lane Co u n ty Fair collars to old time pickle jars and Grounds on the Saturday in June Indian artifacts! His home must, nearest to the 20th (Cal Young's indeed, be empty. birthday) more than 100 usually Starting what we hope will be turn out for wonderful food, a short an annual get-together was our program and a lively afternoon of meeting with the Douglas County renewing old and cherished friend- Historical Society at t h e Jesse ships. Transportation is furnished Applegate House near Yoncalla. for those who would otherwise be Jesse had a strange quirk, in that unable to attend. At this time Life he would never allow his picture to memberships are given to all who be taken. A relative with artistic have reached their 80th birthday. 75 Each one is escorted to the stage chief consideration. Each year one and asked to give their place of community has been chosen for a birth and the date, along with a special edition. To date, Florence, "brief" history of their life. One Springfield, Junction City and Cot- requirement must be met; they tage Grove have been featured. We must have been born in Lane Coun- are fortunate that our able editor ty. For years one member has (Inez Fortt) is an avid historian been coming from California. He and also a recognized free lance is well into his 90's and we look writer. After working for m 0 r e forward to seeing Harlan Elimaker than 12 years in the Oregon Room each year. of the University Library she has One question we are very often much to offer our readers. asked is: "Where is Eugene Skin- The home of one of our eighteen ner buried?" His final resting place board members is offered e a c h is In the Old Masonic Cemetery, month and following desert a lively on the fir covered butte near the evening ensues. Many new ideas end of University Street. Like many and plans are p r op o s e d. It is a of our ancient burying grounds, it pleasant task to sort out the p05- is sadly in need of perpetual care. sible ones and to keep enthusiasm It seems to afford some of our high. To have the privilege of work- younger generation great satisfac- ing with such a dedicated group tion to overturn head stones and has been a delight. My deep and in other ways to desecrate this sincere appreciation goes to each rather isolated spot. and every one who has been so generous with their time and inter- Our Skinner cabin replica, which est. Now we are casting longing is located on the Willamette River eyes at the Winterrneier House, side of Skinner's Butte, was corn- hoping desperately that it may be pleted and turned over to the Eu- saved. What could be more won- gene Park Board with a sigh of derful than having it at some fu- relief. Now it is being enjoyed by ture date to display some of the a great number of people, who mar- fine, old things that we are not vel at its tiny living space and com- able to accept, because of the lack plete lack of modern facilities. Cer- of a proper place in which to show tainly, our pioneer ancestors would them. Miracles do happen and we marvel at our push-button life and can always "Wish upon a Star." the ease with which we t r ave 1 Every year brings its problems around the country. Recently I was and small triumphs and we are called upon by a desperate person looking confidently forward to who was searching for a driving 1973. We ask your continued sup- horse and buggy to lead a parade! port and always welcome sugges- One of the reasons our Great Pio- tions that will help to make your neer Pageant was discontinued was society a mirror of the old and a the fact that driving teams were bridge that will connect it solidly no longer available and certainly, to our fast changing world; that cattle had long since forgotten the our new generations may k no w strain of the heavy ox yoke. more of the dramatic part our an- Our Quarterly Historian is a gold cestors played to make the west mine of information and we solicit the greatest spot on earth, in which stories from our members. Some tolive and enjoy the privileges thought has been given to enlarg- that are ours today. ing the volume to allow for more features. Printing costs are our Hallie Huntington 76 7he Smeed Jiotel! and the Quacientuh Slope By lnez Long Fortt THE SMEED HOTEL* When the Smeed Hotel was closed in June, 1970, a crudely written placard, "Keep Out," on the front door was in sharp contrast to the elegant gold-lettered sign, "Smeed Hotel," in large letters spread over the main entrance to the hostelry and which was visible for blocks. The Smeed Hotel, once a favorite stop for visiting dignitaries to Eu- gene and the center of the social whirl for the young belles and beaux in the late 1800's and early 1900's, was one of the historic buildings cited by the Lane County Historic Preservation Committee to be preserved when its doom was an- Baker's Hotel, later, Smeed Hotel nounced by the Urban Renewal Courtesy, Lane County Pioneer Museum Agency as part of the overall plan cii. According to the Eugene City for the Eugene downtown mall. Guard of April 11, 1885, the struc- The Smeed Hotel dates back to ture equalled any hotel from Salem, the middle 1880's. In 1884, a con- Oregon to Red Bluff, California. tract was made by Mr. Charles On March 2, 1885, the completed Baker with Mr. George H. Parks building was sold to Mr. Stephen to bU1 d a three-story fireproof Smeed who rented it to Mr. and hotel just north of the post office on Mrs. Charles Baker. It was called Willamette S t r e e t, at a cost of Baker's Hotel until 1892 when it $7,000exclusive of the third story was renamed the Hotel Eugene. which temporarily would be un- Not until 1907 was it called the completed. When entirely finished Hotel Smeede. The "e" was added and furnished, the hotel with the to give the name a touch of ele- lot 'would cost around $15,000. gance. A brick and mortar elevator was In 1914, the Hotel Smeede be- installed in the building. A carved came known as the Smeed Hotel. registration desk of huge propor- The structure was being painted tions was built on the left side of when Mr. Smeed said, "Paint out the large lobby. To the left of the the 'e.' The hotel is named Smeed large desk was an arched entrance after the family and so it shall be which led to the spacious dining called." Since its purchase by Mr. room. On the right side of the desk Stephen Smeed in 1885, the hotel was a wide open stairway which led r e m a i n e d continuously in the to the upper stories. Smeed family, until its closure in A b r i c k fireplace was installed 1970. when the wooden kitchen originally In 1972, Mr. Otto Poticha, Eu- planned for the structure was not gene architect and associates se- allowed 'by the Eugene City Coun- cured the famed Smeed Hotel. *The Saga of the Smeed: Renovators Bone Axe forSmeed Hotel by Inez Long Fortt, Emerald Empire Reminder, July 1, 1970. 77 THE QUACKENBUSH STORE soon spread out into all areas of "If you can't find it, go to Quack- merchandise. enbush's. They will have it." When Arthur Quackenbush was The statement was true. Any- married in 1922, his wife became a thing and everything from jewelry partner in the enterprise and the to silver and exquisite china, pots store grew rapidly as it developed and pans to toys, farm tools and and emphasized its unique charac- iron stoves to Basque figurines, Vi- ennese glassware, German clocks, eristics. The couple operated the Oregon myrtlewood, Indian bas- business together u n t ii January, kets, wheelbarrows, even buggies. 1970, when Arthur Quackenbush Name it and somewhere in the de- died, soon followed by the death lightful labyrinth of floors, laden of Mrs. Quackenbush in September, c o u n t e r s, packed shelves and 1972. crowdedpassages,itwould be "Trust, not hardsell a customer" found. was the slogan of the store and the Singing overhead are the antique policy built a large clientele in the change carriers; an early period community. scales serves the customers. An in- In 1971, the store was doomed formal open office in full view on for demolition by the Urban Re- the balcony views thstore while newal Agency. Persuaded by the messages are called back and Jorth Lane County Historic Preservation between office and salespeople, add- Committee and the Lane County ing to the general informality and Historical Society, Mrs. Quacken- friendliness of the pioneer estab- bush rehabilitated the threatened lishment. building. With her assistance, the The store, a landmark in Eugene structure with its many distinctive for almost s e v e n t y years, was and unique features was "saved." founded in 1903 by J. W. Quacken- It is presently being operated by a bush and his son, Arthur. It was corps of old-time employees who called J. W. Quackenbush & Son. are maintaining its former charm Opened as a hardware store,it and friendliness.

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Quackenbush Store Courtesy, Lane County Pioneer Museum Arthur Quockenbush pulls antique change carrier Mrs. Quackenbush in china area; tables, bins overflowing with china Courtesy, Eugene Register-Guard 79 LANE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 740 West 13th Ave., Eugene, Oregon Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 96 Eugene, Oregon

A. V. Peters Home (Wintermeier House) at 10th and Pearl Street Courtesy, Lane County Pioneer Museum