The Historacle

The Official Newsletter of the Talent Historical Society

Volume 22 Issue 4 December 2016

By Belinda Klimek Vos First People - The Takelma I grew up along the banks of Bear homeland and home, and recounted a and gather plants. This pattern is Creek in Talent. As a young girl, I would story, “To the Takelma people, the commonly known as the seasonal often run down the hill behind my house Rogue River is the lifeblood of the Great round. In order to be successful, a to the creek below and imagine an Indian Animal that is the World. The head of large area of land was necessary as well village nestled into the flat acres along the animal is Crater Lake, the neck is as an extensive knowledge of the cycles my section of the creek. It seemed a Boundary Springs where the Rogue of the native plants and animals that perfect spot. There were plenty of oak River starts, the ribs are the two Table lived and grew there. A belief system trees dotting the hillside above, teeming Rocks just upriver from Ti’lomikh that prevented overuse of these limited with acorns each fall; such an idyllic (ancient Takelma village) , the rear end resources was also vital. place to fish, hunt and gather. My is Gold Beach where the Rogue flows In early spring, families would imagination ran wild as I “saw” an Indian into the Pacific Ocean.” He also travel to prime root -gathering and woman making baskets and tending to mentioned that the ribs extended fishing sites where they would find wild small children. I went as far as to try my outward to include the creeks and celery, Miner’s lettuce and other greens. hand at making arrowheads by striking streams that fed the Rogue River. Spring runs of salmon were also pieces of quartz and jasper with another The area around Talent is at the far harvested. The summer months found hard rock. The results were crude, but I end of one of those ribs, and the the Takelma people traveling to higher still remember the sharp scent of spark as Takelma word for Bear Creek is Si -ku - elevations in search of big game, bulbs I hit rock upon rock. The hours slipped ptat meaning dirty water. The Shasta and several kinds of berries including away as I pretended to be a young Indian Tribe occupied the lands just to the blackberries, service berries, maiden free to explore her world; no south. There is some conflict as to the gooseberries and elderberries. Animal school, no clocks, no cares. exact location of the boundary between foods, especially deer, were hunted as For thousands of years, the Takelma the two tribes and it would appear that it well. By early fall, they would return to people lived on the lands that we now call was a disputed zone. The two tribes the mid -elevations to take advantage of Talent. Their traditional homeland intermarried, but didn’t always get the fall salmon runs; drying their catch includes most of the Rogue Valley in along. The Takelma word for Shasta for later consumption. Acorns would southern Oregon, north of Grants Pass to Indian is Wulx , meaning “enemy.” also be gathered, while tarweed fields Sexton Mountain and south to Ashland. According to Doty, “There were were burned to make easy collection of several Takelma villages in the Talent the seeds. Communal deer and elk area, two of the main ones being across drives were also held in the late fall. In the creek from the Beeson House ( at the winter, the Takelma returned to lower intersection of Wagner Ck. Rd. and elevations. Beeson Lane ), and the other at the While the Takelma’s diet was mouth of Wagner Creek.” There are varied, several staple items provided said to be springs near the former the bulk of their nourishment. Acorns Beeson property. All people look for were the most important vegetable food the same resources; water, food and building materials, so it’s not surprising that white settlers valued those locations as well and often located on former Native American home sites. The name Takelma means “the river’s The Takelma were a seasonal people people” and refers specifically to the matching their lives to the changing Rogue River. The Talent Historical temperatures and weather as the year Society was fortunate to have native progressed. They took advantage of storyteller, Thomas Doty, address our food sources as they became available group in August of 2016. He spoke about and in late spring, summer, and early the Native American’s concept of fall traveled to higher elevations to hunt Continued on page 4 1

Museum Hours:

Talent Saturday, Sunday & Holiday Mondays

Historical 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Society

Memberships since Last Issue

New Members: David & Renee Heath Colleen Roberts The Talent Historical Society Maureen Flanagan Battistella Shirley Sullivan Hewitt researches and preserves the Mike & Tammy Dalton Christine Collins history of the Talent area in Ed Colson & Jennifer Laughlin Rebecca Long & Cindy Marotta Sharon Anderson Tim & Judy Cebulla Southern Oregon. We offer a Patrick & Amy Huffman Ed & Sharon Olson collection of historical archives to Dave & Ann Galligan Ken Nelson help local residents and visitors Mike & Julie Serrano Darren & Renee Reedy become better acquainted with Gene & RoseMary Woida Thomas Doty our area’s rich history. John Wahl Bon & Michelle Stewart

New Lifetime Memberships: We operate a museum and Michael Mills meeting place located at: Renewals:

105 North Market Street Linda Cooley John & Kittie Harrison Francis Hayman LaVelle Ricks Talent, Oregon Robert Burnett Elizabeth Stark Ruby Garmon Mary Ann Gayton The museum is open Saturday and Mark & Gerlinde Smith -Poelz Stuart Douglas Sunday and Holiday Mondays Dick & Shirl Phillips Kristi Mergenthaler from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Renewing Business Sponsors: Mountain View Estates

General Business Address: : Lifetime Memberships Marla Cates & Jan Ritter Margay Garrity P.O. Box 582 Bud & MaryLouise Gleim Al Nijenhuis Talent, OR 97540 Edwin McManus & Family

Additional Donation: Phone Number: (541) 512 -8838 Michael Mills in memory of Betsey Dial -Mills John & Kittie Harrison Elizabeth Stark Email: [email protected] Ruby Garmon Dick & Shirl Phillips

www.talenthistory.org Honorary Lifetime Memberships

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Bob Casebeer Jan Wright Susan Moulder Katherine Harris talenthistory/

DON’T MISS OUT!! The Historacle is published quarterly. Would you like timely email reminders about upcoming events at the Talent Histori- cal Society? If so, contact us at: [email protected] or call and leave a - message at (541) 512 8838. Or just drop by the museum and leave us your infor- Editor/layout: mation. We’ll email notices out including all the information about upcoming Belinda Klimek Vos events.

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THS President’s Message - by Ron Medinger Tuesday Evening at the Museum Last night was our monthly Board Meeting. What a great group of people to work with! I thank them each and every one. The Talent Historical Society They said I could still be Board President for one more year and I am honored continues it series of presentations held by their support. on the fourth Tuesday of each month We’ve made much progress in the past two years, but we still have a long from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. path ahead. I’d like to thank each of you who value the Historical Society enough On Sept. 27th, Ben Truwe told to support us with your paid memberships and donations. That allows us to pro- about the life of Pinto Colvig, who was gress down that path together. born in Jacksonville and had a career as If there are any of you who would like to become active participants by work- an actor, newspaper cartoonist and ing on projects or helping down at the museum, please contact me, or any of the circus performer. He was the original Board members. This thing only works by many people coming together and Bozo the Clown. offering what time they may have available to help out. Our Annual Meeting was held on October 25th. Board President, Ron Medinger, gave a State of the Society Address, and Tam Moore spoke about Talent Poker Tour Accessions the Heritage District vote. We did not have a presentation in Our first Talent Poker Tour fund- The following items have been donated November because of the closeness to raising event on October 29th was a to us and have been added to the Muse- Thanksgiving. big success and all those who attended um collection: On December 27th, we will be had a good time. We especially appre- having a Holiday Open House with an ciate Mayor Darby Stricker matching A Fire Chief hat was donated by evening of community sharing and the donation amount for the evening Darin Welburn. caring during this Holiday season. from her discretionary fund account!! Bring a plate of cookies or a dessert/ Thank you so much. Talent High School annuals from snack to be shared with the group. Jan Our second tournament will be held 1940 to 1952 were donated by George Wright will give a presentation on the on Saturday, December 31st beginning Baylor. With the addition of the 1945 Beeson/Toon dollhouse which will be at noon at the Museum. The tourna- annual we now have a complete collec- on display. See the article on page 10 ment is open to THS members only, tion from 1937 to 1960. for more details. with a membership level of Family or Native American, Tom Smith, will above. Family photo albums, The Grem- be joining us on January 24th to give a The No -Limit Texas Hold’em tour- blin , the Talent 7th and 8th grade pa- presentation on tool making and other nament will feature a buy -in of $30.00 per from 1959, The Jolly Roger , Phoe- Native crafts. He made many of the with all entry money paid back out as nix High School paper 1960 -61 were replica tools in the front case at the cash prizes. Refreshments and snacks donated by Paulette Creel Hendrickson. Museum. will be available for a modest cost. This The February 28th talk will be is a no alcohol/no smoking event. A 1966 -67 Medford City Directory announced at a later date.

Contact [email protected] or was donated by Doug Burck. All talks are held at our museum at call the museum at 541.512.8838 for 105 North Market Street, Talent, unless additional information. Thanks to all of these folks for otherwise noted.

thinking of us. We appreciate your The meetings are free and open to donations. the public and you need not be a member to attend.

Talent Harvest Festival

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Harvest Festival on October 1st and visited us at our booth or at the Museum. The weather turned out fine, and we enjoyed seeing some new faces as well as some familiar ones!! Our raffle drew quite a bit of interest and we hope the lucky winners were pleased. The Talent Tomato Band rode on our float and their music was enjoyed by all. THS board member, Bob Case- beer, enjoyed a ride behind the float as our special guest. 3

Continued from page 1 The cooked salmon could be pulverized spread around the hearth area. with black oak acorns being the favored and stored for winter use. Clothing needs changed with the species. The river and creek valleys and The fish were caught using several seasons as well. Summer, warm month low surrounding hills were good locations different techniques. A hook and line attire was fairly simple. Men wore a for oak trees, and they grew abundantly. was made using a grass line with the deerskin apron and one piece moccasins The acorns were processed by first hook a two piece affair of bone while the women’s clothing included a two -piece buckskin skirt and a round, shelling them and then mashing them on connected with sinew. Nets, weirs and a flat mortar rock by means of a pestle. spears were also used. basket hat twined of white grass. After mashing, the acorns were sifted into Deer were hunted year round and As the temperatures fell during fall a shallow basket pan. Hot water was then also provided an important source of and winter, the men wore buckskin shirts, poured over the meal with the process protein. The meat could be dried as leggings tied with a belt, deerskin being repeated twice as acorns contain jerky for long -term storage making it blankets or robes, and hats of deer or bear bitter tannins that much be leached out especially valuable. Hunting was skin. Feet were kept warm with before they can be eaten. Takelma almost always done by men except for moccasins that were lined with fur and women then boiled the acorn meal to the deer drives where women also grass while the arms and hands were make an acorn mush. participated. They sometimes stalked protected with a mitten -like sleeve of fox Another their prey with a deer head disguise and skin. A bear -paw type of snowshoe was important vegetable also used dogs to drive deer into fences used for travel in the snow. was camas bulbs set with nooses. Clothing was decorated in several (Camassia quamash ). The Takelma employed temporary ways including tassels made from white While the plant loves houses when they travelled from site to grass and abalone shells. Strips of otter moist meadows and site at the higher elevations in order to skin were used to tie women’s hair and wet marshes, it can gather food. They needed to be mobile, hat baskets were adorned with porcupine also be found in and the simple brush shelters were built quills. Men also painted their elkskin prairies and oak around a central fire pit. They returned warfare armor with designs. savannas. The plant to lower elevations, usually along Men and women both used facial grows from a bulb creeks, for the winter months. There, paint in red and black, with the color measuring a little less they built permanent villages of various white only used in time of war. A black than an inch and was sizes. Those that were sick or too old to paint was made by burning pitch on a flat harvested with the aid of a digging stick. travel stayed in the villages in the rock with the resulting residue mixed with This sharp pointed stick was made from summer months as well. grease. Strings of shells were worn mountain mahogany ( Cercocarpus through holes in the nose and ears. Three betuloides ) and was extremely hard when vertical stripes were tattooed on the chins dry. After harvesting, the bulbs were of girls at puberty with a bone needle and baked in an earth oven. A pit was dug in charcoal being used for the tattooing. the ground then filled with the camas Only the left arm was tattooed on men, bulbs and hot stones. They were then left between the elbow and the shoulder. The to bake for a day or more until the bulbs series of marks were used to measure the were thoroughly roasted. They could length of a string of dentalium shells then be mashed into a dough, formed into which they used as currency. cakes, and stored for winter use. Cooking The Takelma had an extensive the bulbs greatly improved the flavor, knowledge of the area’s raw natural texture and nutritional value; raw bulbs materials including plants, animals and are said to taste like soap. Steaming/ rocks. Digging sticks, cordage (rope), roasting the bulbs in the earthen ovens The winter home was rectangular in spears, fishing nets and weirs, bows, coverts the raw bulb’s inulin, a largely shape and semi -subterranean. Sugar arrows and children’s toys were all made indigestible sugar, to fructose, a sweet, pine slabs were used as siding or in using plant stems and fibers. Items such simple sugar. Cooked camas is said to some cases bark slabs. The exterior as needles, fishing hooks, and bow strings taste like maple sugar or baked pears and siding was attached to framing which were fashioned from animal parts. Rocks, has the consistency of a roasted onion. consisted of upright posts in the corners including jasper, agate and basalt could The only plant the Takelma routinely with connecting cross beams. A single be found locally and were used for ax cultivated was a native tobacco gable design roof was covered with heads, hammer stones and wedges. (Nicotiana bigelovii ). Men grew the split planks or bark. Wooden steps led Obsidian was obtained by trade or travel plant on plots of land that had been down into the structure which had a and along with jasper was made into cleared of brush by burning. packed dirt floor with a central fire points and knife blades. Salmon and steelhead were a main hearth set in the center of an excavated Baskets served as vessels for cooking, source of protein for the Takelma and pit area. Storage space for baskets, storage, and transporting of goods. Made they took advantage of several seasonal wooden boxes and other items were in many different sizes and shapes, the runs each year. The salmon were skinned kept on the raised area around the pit, twined baskets were built on a bottom of and split through the backbone and the and food and supplies were suspended four short hazel twigs perpendicular to meat was then roasted on spits of split from the ceiling to keep them safe from four cross pieces. Sugar pine roots were hazel branches stuck into the ground. pests and moisture. Cattail mats were used as twining material as well as 4

maidenhair -fern stems, willow shoots, Thomas Doty’s captivating book Doty continued to speak the language. By beargrass, iris leaves and porcupine Meets Coyote , he brings many of these the 1970’s, the Confederated Tribes of quills. Rabbit fur lined baskets were stories to life. Siletz Indians began to reorganize and used as baby cradles. He writes about one such story, their first elected chief was George “Daldal is a character in Takelma stories. Harney, a full blooded Takelma. His While most native mythologies have a granddaughter, Agnes Baker Pilgrim transformer or culture bringer character - has emerged as the most significant someone who transforms the world and spokesperson for the Takelma and makes it ready for Human People to live continues to educate others about her in - nowhere else is the transformer a heritage. She has returned to the Rogue dragonfly. Or actually, two dragonflies! Valley and said, “Many people Near the beginning of the story called mistakenly believe that all the Rogue “Daldal as Transfomer,” Daldal splits River Indians were wiped out a century himself in half and becomes Elder and a half ago. It’s not true; there are Brother and Younger Brother. Together more than 70 descendants of Chief Watertight Basket Photo courtesy of BLM they journey up the Rogue River, Harney alive today. I am a living link changing the world in various places, with the ancestors of this land.” Tightly woven, watertight baskets including Ti’lomikh. At the end of their The Takelma were an ingenious were used for cooking. When filled with journey, they turn into the Table Rocks, people using what nature provided to water, hot rocks from the fire were added the center of the Takelma universe.” I carve a rich and satisfying life for and in that way plant and animal foods highly recommend this book for anyone themselves. They passed down their would be boiled. The baskets were wanting to know more about Takelma abundant knowledge from generation to decorated with designs in red, black or stories and myths. It can be purchased at generation and maintained a stable white. The colors were obtained by our Museum or through our online store community for thousands of years. dying the twining strands in either black at http://store.talenthistory.org/. My intent in writing this article was clay or alder bark or by using a white The Takelmas first contact with to provide a glimpse into the culture grass. European settlers was made indirectly and lives of the Takelma people who The Takelma language is unique and through outbreaks of smallpox. Trade lived on this land first. In essence, we is not spoken anywhere else in the world. with tribes from the Columbia basin and are trespassing on their homeland. The It’s a member of the Penutian language the Oregon/California Coast brought the tragic story of the Takelmas demise and family and was used by the Takelma and disease to southwestern Oregon as early the painful way they were treated is not their close relative the Cow Creek Band. as the 1780’s and caused serious to be minimized, but the compete Two anthropological linguists, epidemics with high mortality rates. details are a story for another time. Edward Sapir and John Peabody There were small numbers of settlers That story deserves a full account of its Harrington, were able to interview and in the region as early as the late 1820’s to own. record information about the Takelma 1840’s, but when gold was discovered in Many years after my childhood language and lifeways from a few the Rogue Valley in 1851, a flood of adventures along the banks of Bear survivors. Their work is the backbone of prospectors and settlers arrived. Serious Creek, I came to live along the banks of our knowledge of their culture. conflicts arose almost immediately Anderson Creek west of Talent. One In 2011, the Cow Creek Band decided between Native people and settlers. By day while walking by the creek, I to restore the Takelma language. They the summer of 1853, the conflicts caught a glint of sun reflecting on began a journey using many sources escalated into open warfare culminating white, a bright white object a few steps including the Northwest Indian Language in the “Rogue River Indian Wars”. away. As I bent to pick up the pretty Institute at the University of Oregon, Several treaties were signed and rock, I realized that it was an with the intent to develop materials to ultimately broken. In 1856, the Takelma, arrowhead, beautifully shaped and with teach the language to Tribal members. along with Native People throughout a sharp point. My childhood attempts They now offer classes and language northern California and southwestern at making arrowheads flooded my mind CD’s for the Takelma language. Oregon, were removed from their as I admired the fine workmanship of As there was no written language, ancestral lands and were relocated some this tool. I laughed in amazement to stories tied the generations together 265 miles away to the Coast (Siletz) think that I had stumbled upon it; weaving a shared history as they were Reservation. The Takelma people had lost hidden and lost for so many years. My told around the campfire. The stories their homeland. Forced to travel by foot, curiosity took off at full speed as I sought to explain and teach and entertain; many perished along the journey. imagined the Native American hunter sacred stories that the Takelma culture is Another reservation, the Grande Ronde who had been standing right where I built upon. Coyotes, Bears and Rock was established in 1857 and included 60 now stood, and a sense of awe and People all play an important part. women and children from the Rogue wonder swept over me as I considered The stories were most often told in region. The Takelma became members of who he might have been. It was such an the wintertime while people were in their the Confederated Tribes of Siletz or the honor to find a small piece of his permanent homes. Important lessons of Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde. culture; his people. The creekside was tribal history, survival techniques and Despite terrible conditions and now my homeland, my home , but I codes of conduct were woven into the continued efforts by the government to will always remember that it was his fabric of the stories and myths. In strip them of their identity, a few Takelma homeland first. 5

From Our Facebook Page

To read all the THS posts and information, “like” us on Facebook Find us at: https:www.facebook.com/talenthistory/ Or go to www.facebook.com and type Talent Historical in the search bar at the top of the page. Then from the options shown, choose Talent Historical Society In a daily post, we are following pioneer Welborn Beeson’s diary entry from 150 years ago. ( currently 1866)

Our Facebook page continues to be afterwards the clouds disapeared and oh! O wish I could believe as you do, an enjoyable forum for current events the bright Sun of my life, broke forth in then I never would hurt your feelings, and news from the Talent Historical full brilliantly, in haveing the pure and so much as I do now.” Society. undying love of one of the best women Oct 15th Monday up rather late. “….I After such a difficult time in the life of all the world. and now unworthy as I have been thinking of my dear Parents of Welborn Beeson in 1866, the past am, she loves me with all the devotion to day I begin to miss them now but oh I few months have found him adjusting of true woman hood.” have my Dear Welborn to love and to married life. After a very brief Kate’s family decides to return to confide in and I love him above every courtship, he and Kate Brophy wed on California and Kate understandably is thing in this world. but oh I miss my August 6, 1866. As is with most sad to see them go. Conflicts about Dear kind Mother to but oh what good couples, they have their ups and downs Kate and Welborn’s differing views on does it do me to think of her She is as they adjust to married life, but religion arise and feelings are hurt. gone. Kate Beeson.” Welborn’s diary entries reveal how Kate takes her hand at writing in the Oct 24th. “...I have been very unwell. happy he is to be with his new wife. diary as well, and we get to see her Kate is vexed about, and, and so am I. Neighbors stop by daily to congratulate point of view on several issues. Kate says I look as sour as vinegar, the young couple and Kate seems to Oct 14th Sunday “ ….Kates folks all done up in cabbage. …… Father is take it all in stride. started to California on last Thursday... away almost all the time doctoring. Sept 6th Thursday. “…..I have spent Katie parted with them and does not Kate and Logan and I are alone to night such a pleasant day to day had my expect to see them again for two yrs. Logan is reading and my Dear one is Kates company all to myself nearly all She has trusted herself in to my keeping mending for me a checked chirt so nice. day, and she says she loves me better and oh! I shall try and be kind and I can hardly keep my eyes from looking the more she is with me, and I do love good to her. she is so good to me, and at her, although she say’s I look as if I her so well now I dont how I could love loves me so truly, but I am rough and was going to eat her I dont know her better.” careless and say so much that hurts her whether she means I looke as if I loved Sept 14th Friday “ ….Dear, Kate and I feelings Dear Kate please smile, and her well enough to eat her or whether are hear again in our room, and I never forgive me. wont you Dear yes Dear I she thinks I am cross. Dear one, If you experienced such happines in all my will and love you to [last statement only realize how well I love you. I am life as enjoy at the present time in the written by Kate Beeson] ……. Dear happy” love of my Kate. This passed summer Kate oh! I hope you do not think Ups and downs and all arounds. has been a time of singular experience because I can not like your Friend Anyone who has been married or in a to me. I have passed through a period Blanchet (Catholic Priest) that I will serious relationships will identify with of most misserble cloudy unhappines prove to you a source of unhapiness. that last entry. And in the end “I am and sad experiance in the sickness and oh! Kate I love you beyond all else and happy.” And as readers of Welborn death of my beloved Mother, and soon oh! Dear one, my religious beliefe is Beeson’s diaries, we are happy for him.

Thanks to these businesses for supporting the Talent Historical Society at a Sponsorship level.

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Because the road to California and the Applegate Trail followed Bear Creek through the valley, it was the center of action for explorers, trappers, Native Americans, and pioneers. Local Native Americans did not drink from it but used springs instead.

From “Images of America - Talent” by Jan Wright of the Talent Historical Society, page 13. This book may be ordered through our online store or purchased directly at the Museum. The regular price is $21.99, but during the month of December we will be offering it for just $14.95!! This must have book documents Talent’s early history through images and text and is pub- lished by Arcadia Publishing as part of its Images of America series.

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315 N. Main St. Suite A, Phoenix, OR 97535 sponsor 541 -512 -2566

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At the Museum

In each issue, we showcase an interesting artifact or exhibit housed at our museum. Stop by and take a look!

We tend to rush through doors. We your left. And then pivot and take in the people who lived here first. all do it, eager to get on with our day, to rock wall and think about where you are see what’s inside. But the entry way at and what you’re seeing. This permanent exhibit was made the Talent Historical Society Museum is The entryway to our Museum is a possible by a generous grant in 2008 from unique; its worth a pause. Push open tribute to the First People of our area, the Meyer Memorial Trust. The grant, the front door and then just stand a and it’s a fitting way to enter our totaling $4,800 dollars, was used to moment and read what is on the wall to building by honoring the Takelma construct a replica of rock writings found at Medicine Rock. Located on a ridge above the Rogue River at a quarry on private property, the site is now inaccessible to the public. According to Jan Wright, “It’s the only known pictograph in the entire valley.” Thomas Doty explains, “Medicine Rock is an important place in the history and culture of the Takelmas. It is a vision quest site for Somloholxas, upper class medicine people from several villages up and down the Rogue River. The red symbols on quartz are unique in the region. They tell of two paths to the top of the rock where, for centuries, medicine people have gone to seek visions and power.” The pictographs are located in a natural gap between two massive rocks. People entered the gap and journeyed past the symbols, through the exit, and up onto the top of the rock. They then fasted for five days and nights before returning by another path to where they had started. The exhibit includes a rock patterned after a portion of the Medicine rock site as well as photos, descriptions and interpretations. The exhibit was constructed during the summer and fall of 2008. Desi Brown, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, constructed the artificial rock and Matt Watson put the exhibit together.

Part of the exhibit laid out on the front Replica of a portion of the Medicine Rock site in the entryway of the Museum lawn of the Museum before installation.

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Using photos, Doty replicated the ceremony was held to honor the Medicine rock paintings on the artificial completion of the project. Over 70 rock. Doty and Roy Phillips, a rock - people attended the event which began - writing expert, worked to interpret the with a blessing and talk by Takelma Thomas Doty Storyteller symbols, and determined that the elder Agnes Baker -Pilgrim. Roy pictographs give instructions to the Phillips presented a program and slide medicine people about the ritual they show about Indian rock writing, and A Native View should follow to seek their visions. Thomas Doty entertained with Native As well as the rock wall replica, there stories. There was also traditional are three interpretive panels on the drumming and singing by Whistling opposite wall. The wall photo that Elk. serves as the background is of the Because of the dedication by the original rock and was made by Allen Tribal elder, the entrance to our Cartography of Medford, OR. Museum is considered a sacred place; a sacred place to admire, acknowledge and appreciate those first people that came before. The pictograph wall sets the tone for all visitors and honors the Takelma’s place in history. It has been Photo: Rock writings at Medicine a wonderful addition to our Museum. Rock above the Rogue River. So the next time you come to the Museum, open the door more slowly and linger for a moment as you take in Stories the Rock People Tell the rock writings before you. Consider their importance and the stories they Rock People are the oldest people. have to tell. Emotions such as pride, Their stories are told with symbols happiness, and sadness bind us together painted and carved on stone. The through the centuries as we all share Takelmas call these stories se’l , or those same feelings. Learning from rock writings. One story tells how other cultures is always important and medicine people come to a rock in the enriches our own lives today. We are mountains. They walk the crooked fortunate to have such a wonderful path to the top where they have vi- example of Native American culture sions. When they return they have greeting those entering our Museum. completed a sacred circle. Nearby is One panel gives information on the home of Dan Mologol, a legend- cryptanalysis, the science by which a ary healer from the Old Time, and the system of communication is deciphered first to walk the healing path. Her from only symbols, character or letters. name means Rock Old Woman. Rock writings tell stories. They can also share information about dangers, give directions, locate water sources and tell of safe shelter. They were an important tool of communication for Native People and the symbols are powerful reminders Thomas Doty is a noted Native of the past. Storyteller and author. Since 1981, A second panel gives information he has traveled the countryside per- about the Medicine Rock site, including forming and teaching traditional and three photos of the actual rock itself. It original stories. Doty was born in also includes the meanings for the rock southern Oregon where he still lives. writings on the opposite wall. He is descended from Shasta and The third panels tells of three other Takelma people, as well as from Irish rock writing sites. One near the Green and English settlers. He is the author Springs summit is a deeply grooved of several books and his stories have petroglyph that symbolically states, “We been broadcast on Public Radio. His are camped here in this good place.” website at www.DotyCoyote.com con- Others include a Woman’s Cave in tains a wealth of information and northeast California and Shapasheni other topics in his “A Native View” which is near the entrance to a lava tube Pictograph found at Medicine Rock and series. that contains several pictographs replicated at the Museum. dramatizing a scene from a Modoc story. Translation: “going down a crooked

On October 18, 2008 a dedication path” and “good place hidden below”

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Charlotte Beeson’s Christmas Dollhouse By Jan Wright

In the late 1920s, Elton Beeson start- ing building a house for his family at 25 Quince Street in Medford. While waiting for a house of their own, Elton’s family lived at the Jackson County Poor Farm with relatives. After working on the house every day, Elton picked up his 6 - year -old daughter, Charlotte, from 1st grade and showed her the progress of the house. On Nov 8th, 1928, Charlotte wait- ed and waited but her father never came to pick her up. Hours later, through her mother’s tears, she heard the news that Charlotte Beeson’s Dollhouse currently at our Museum her father had been accidently and fatally shot and died in the local hospital. lovingly placed inside the house where to come in talking to Charlotte about the The Quince Street house stood un- Charlotte would find it as she walked accessories of the doll house. touched for about three years until Edna in the front door. The doll house stayed with Charlotte Beeson could obtain her teaching creden- Asa Fuller, like Elton Beeson, was throughout her life and became a legacy tials, start teaching, and then could afford a carpenter, and he knew that if Elton piece for her children, grandchildren, and to hire someone to finish it. When they was still alive he would have made his great grandchildren. They played with it and finally moved in, Charlotte entered 4th daughter a doll house. One can imag- cherished it until in 2009, when Charlotte grade at nearby Jackson School. Their ine the secret joy he had in making it, gave it to Jan Wright’s granddaughters. next -door neighbors, Asa and Nettie the special attention to detail he and his They, in turn, have given their permission to Fuller, who had no children, loved having wife put into the tiniest embellishment put it on display at the Talent Historical Charlotte play in their garden and talk for dear little fatherless Charlotte. Society museum in order to keep the story with them in the evenings. Four hearts were full that Christmas alive and give everyone a reminder to pay One Christmas Eve, when Charlotte Eve night: Edna’s, with gratitude for attention to children, to notice the ones in and her mother returned from visiting the extra attention her daughter re- need of a friend, and to give of ourselves relatives in Talent, they found the front ceived from kind neighbors; Char- and share our talents with our neighbors. room on Quince Street lit with a special lotte’s with excitement and wonder; Jan will be giving many more details glow —a handmade doll house complete Asa’s with the joy of creating and giv- about this touching story at our December with hand -carved furniture, rugs, curtains, ing something to a child; and Nettie’s Tuesday Evening at the Museum presenta- tiny quilts, and Christmas lights had been with the anticipation of the happy days tion on December 27th. (see details on page 3) The dollhouse will be on display for eve- ryone to see!!

New Officers Elected

At the November 15th Board of Directors meeting, elections were held with the fol- lowing results

President - Ron Medinger Vice -President - Willow Nauth Secretary - Jan Wright Treasurer - John Harrison

Charlotte Beeson at the house her Father built in Medford.

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The Talent Historical Society Membership Application

The Talent Historical Society was founded in 1994 as a non -profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of the Talent area in Southern Oregon. By becoming a member of the Society, you provide valuable support of the Society’s ongoing work. To become a member, please select a membership level, complete the form below, and return the completed form along with your membership payment. All memberships, regardless of level, are greatly appreciated.

Name______Date______

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Member Type: [ ] New [ ] Renewing

Membership Level: [ ] Junior (12 -18) - $10 [ ] Individual - $20 [ ] Lifetime Individual - $200 [ ] Business - $50 [ ] Family - $30 [ ] Lifetime Family - $300 [ ] Individual/Family Sponsorship - $100 or more [ ] Business Sponsorship - $100 or more Donation in addition to membership: $______

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Dues include our quarterly newsletter: The Historacle [ ] Check to receive The Historacle electronically, sent by email in lieu of paper. (This saves us printing and postage costs.)

Please make checks payable to: Talent Historical Society Send completed form along with payment to: Talent Historical Society P.O Box 582 Talent, OR 97540 Thank you!

Talent Historical Society Board of Directors:

Ron Medinger President - Membership Chair Willow Nauth Vice -President - Art/Design Chair The Monthly Talent Historical Society Jan Wright Secretary - Historian Board Meeting is held on the second John Harrison Treasurer Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Anthony Abshire Talent City Council Liaison museum building at 105 North Market Belinda Vos Newsletter Editor Street, Talent, Oregon Mark Smith -Poelz Merchandise Manager Emmalisa Whalley Board Member All interested persons are invited to attend. Bradley Flint Board Member Bob Casebeer Board Member

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Talent Historical Society P.O. Box 582 Talent, OR 97540

Upcoming Events

Dec. 13 THS Board Meeting 6:00 pm At the Museum Dec. 27 Tuesday Evening at the Museum 6:30 - 8:00 pm Holiday Open House and talk by Jan Wright on the Beeson/Toon dollhouse Dec. 31 Talent Poker Tour Noon - ? At the Museum Jan. 10 THS Board Meeting 6:00 pm At the Museum Jan. 24 Tuesday Evening at the Museum 6:30 - 8:00 pm Tom Smith - Native American tool demo Feb. 14 THS Board Meeting 6:00 pm At the Museum Feb. 28 Tuesday Evening at the Museum 6:30 - 8:00 pm TBA

Something YOU can do to help! Just a reminder that you can check the If you do any shopping on Amazon.com, use the link below to enter the Amazon top, right hand corner of the address website. The price doesn’t change, but the Historical Society receives a donation label on this issue of the Historacle to from each purchase. Any purchases you make will help support the Talent Histori- see when it’s time for you to renew! cal Society and its projects. Thanks!! The date will tell you when your mem- bership expires. http://www.amazon.com/?%5Fencoding=UTF8&tag=talent -histosoc -20

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