t:~~ SOUTHERN ==== HISTORICAL •••• SOCIETY FROM THE DIRECTOR -Since 1946

Board of Trustees Dear SOHS members and friends: Bruce Budmayr, , President Terrie Clafiin, Medford, First Vice President Sol Blechman, Ashland, Second Vice President We are very pleased to present our fall issue of Southern Oregon Heritage Today. Thomas W. Pyle, Medford, Secretary It features a fascinating and fact-filled look at the history of crime in the region, Warren Merz, Jacksonville, Treasurer some of those who perpetrated those crimes, and some of those who brought the Pat Clason, Medford Brent Florendo, Ashland criminals to justice. One thing the stories tell us is how lit­ Gene Gressley, Jacksonville tle changes over time. Crime may change, and become more Edward B. Jorgenson, Medford sophisticated, but at its very heart there is little difference Judy H. Lozano, Butte Falls Kathie Olsen, Jacksonville between theft in the 1900s and theft today, or murder, or Sandra Slattery, Ashland assault, or white-collar crimes. There is something morbidly Robert E. Stevens, Jacksonville reassuring about that fact. We hope you enjoy reading this Dick Thierolf. Ashland Foundation Board of Directors issue. Nancy Hamlin, Medford, President Alice Mullaly, Central Point, Vice President In our next quarterly publication, due out on January 1, 2007, Joe Danelson, Medford, Secretary David M. Thorndike, Medford, Treasurer we'll dedicate the entire issue to SOHS's amazing and exten­ Al len Aising, Ashland sive collection of artifacts and documents. They range in size from a flea to a fire Vicki A. Bryden, Medford engine, and include hundreds of thousands of other three-dimensional artifacts and Judi Drais, Medford Yvonne Earnest. Medford two-dimensional documents and photographs. The January issue of SOHT truly Waiter H. Emo ri , M.D., Jacksonville will be a collector's edition. Nancy McGrew, Jacksonville Sue Naumes, Medford Robert Semes, Ashland Speaking of our collection, as most of you know many of the historic buildings that Bill Templeman, Medford SOHS manages and operates are in fact public buildings, under Jackson County Samuel C. Whitford, Ashland ownership. Those include our two museums in Jacksonville, the U.S . Hotel, the Administrative Staff Beekman House and Beekman Bank, and the Catholic Rectory. The fate of those Stephanie Butler, Education/Programs John Enders, Executive Director buildings is in question as Jackson County moves to further reduce its expected Harley Patrick, Public Relations/Marketing budget deficit for 2007 and coming years. That's why it's important right now for Richard Se id man, Development/Membership Maureen Smith, Finance/Operations Director SOHS members and others in the community to speak out for these buildings. They must remain in public ownership and accessible to the public. If you are con­ Collections/Research library & Exhibits Staff cerned about the fate of our historic buildings, I urge you to contact the Jackson Kathy Enright, Library Assistant County commissioners to express those concerns. We are beginning discussions in Carol Harbison-Samuelson, Library Manager/ coming months about the future level of support the county will provide to main­ Photo Arch ivist Tina Re uwsaat. Registrar, Associate Curator preserve the historic buildings, and it is important the commissioners know how of Co llections you feel about this important issue. Suzanne M.M. Warner, Curator of Collections Jan Wri ght, Registrar Contact the commissioners at: SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAG E TODAY Dave Gilmour C.W. Smith Jack Walker Magazine Staff 541-774-6117 541-774-6119 541 -774-6118 Editor, Joh n Enders 10 S Oakdale 10 S Oakdale 10 S Oakdale Assoc iate Edi tor, Harley Patrick Designer, Chris Mole Room 200 Room 200 Room 200 Photo Archivist. Carol Harbison-Samuelson Medford, OR 97501 Medford, OR 97501 Medford, OR 97501 Photographers, Anthony DiMaggio [email protected] [email protected] walker JW@jackson- and Harley Patrick Editorial Ass istant, Margaret LaPlante Copyright 2006 by Southern Oregon Historical Society, ISSN #1082-2003. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be printed or electronically duplicated without the wrinen permission of the Southern Oregon Historical Society. Authors Guidelines available upon ~£~ request. Published by the Southern Oregon Historical Society 106 N. Central Ave., Medford, OR 97501-5926 (541) 773-6536· www.sohs.org

2 I FALL 2006 • SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAG E TODAY SOU T HERN ORE GO N HERITARJ CONTENTS 7 SOHS Today ...... 4

Exhibits ...... 5

From the Collection:

Tools of the Trade ...... 6

Then and Now ...... 7

Features:

Murder on 1-5 ...... 8

Of Vice and Men ...... 11

Honoring the Fallen ...... 13

White Collar Crime ...... 15

Machine Gun Kelly ...... 16

The Last Hanging in Jacksonville ...... 19 The railroad car dynamited by the De Autrement brothers during their infamous Tunnel 13 train robbery, 1923. See the related article on Members / Donors ...... 20 page 11. SOHS Photo #6791 Sponsors ...... 21

Member Profile: Carl Brophy ...... 22

ON THE COVER: In November of 1884, Ashland, Oregon police arrested Lewis O'Neil for the murder of Lewis McDaniel. A rumored affair between O'Neil and McDaniel's wife apparently led to the confrontation that resulted in McDaniel's death by gunshot. O'Neil spent more than eleven months in the Jackson County jail. On March 9, 1886, he was hanged on these gallows built for the occasion, located between the jail and the Jackson County Courthouse in Jacksonville. This photo was taken prior to the hanging. Read more on page 19. SOHS photo # 2422

FALL 2006 • SOUTHER N OREGO N HE RITAGE TODAY 3 SOHISToday

New Native American Exhibit A NEW NATIVE AMERICAN EXHIBIT will be installed on the first floor of the Jacksonville Museum. When open this winter, it will feature a number of artifacts from the SOHS collection as well as provide program space for our Native American cultural interpreter Tom Smith. We will announce details of the opening in our monthly membership postcard and online at www.sohs.org. Holidays at Hanley Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 am - 3 pm OUR POPULAR "OLD-FASHIONED hol­ iday celebration" is back! The Hanley Farmhouse will be decorated and open for tours with costumed interpreters sharing traditional holiday customs from the 1860s through the 1960s. In addition, there will be wagon rides, miniature horses, and festive live entertainment. Local artisan food vendors will Peter Britt photo of Native American woman offer free product samples and items for sale for "last-minute" holiday shopping. Hot know as "Old Jennie," ca. 1893. refreshments, cornbread, and roasted chestnuts will also be available. Beekman House Victorian Christmas ON TWO CONSECUTIVE WEEKENDS, Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3, and December 9 and 10, from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm, the Beekman House will be decorated and open for tours with costumed interpreters. Holiday cookies will also be served. January Closing THE JACKSONVILLEM USEUM and Children's Museum, and the Medford Research Library will be closed in January for our annual maintenance and cleaning. The museums will re-open on Thursday, February 1 at 10:00 am, the library at 1:00 pm. SOHS administrative offices will remain open during our usual business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, throughout the month. Meet the Hanley Farm Manager KYLE RIGGS is the Historical Society's new Hanley Farm Manager. Originally from Oklahoma, Kyle was raised in California and spent summers on his grandparents' farm in West Virginia, where he learned about tractors climbing on his grandpa's Farmall Model H, explored the Civil War era barn, sifted through the treasures in the attic of an 1814 log cabin, and rode horses. "Being connected with that old farm and that part of the country gave me an interest and appreciation of history which the suburb I grew up in could not," he says. Kyle has a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Sonoma State and most recently was at Mendocino College in Ukiah, California, where he served as the greenhouse manager, maintain­ ing the demonstration gardens, instructing students, and overseeing the nursery's successful plant sales. Kyle and his wife Nancy life in Talent with their two sons, John-John, 6, and Jasper, 1-1/2.

4 I FALL 2006 • SOUTHERN OREGON Exhibits

NOW AT THE JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM

Peter Britt: The Man Beyond the Camera COME EXPERIENCE our most innovative exhibit to date, featuring nearly 400 artifacts and images from the Society's extensive Peter Britt collection, many of which are on public display for the first time. See the many interesting facets of Peter Britt's life in a contemporary, entertaining format with items ranging from Britt's personal diaries, which date from 1859 through 1905, to some of his earliest oil paintings, photographic gear, and the 1872 Steinway square grand piano he bought for his daughter Mollie.

Toward the Setting Jackson County Miner, Baker, Furniture Sun: Traveling the Milestones Maker Oregon Trail THEY CAME TO JACKSON COUNTY UPSTAIRS IN THE FORMER courtroom OUR NEWEST EXHIBIT is filled with looking for treasure, and carrying some of the Jackson County Courthouse, artifacts such as pioneer diaries, cloth­ with them. In this faSCinating exhibit, underneath the soaring 20-foot ceil­ ing, tools, and furniture, as well as you'll discover how immigrants to this ings, you'll discover an adventure of photos, interactive components, and a area changed it forever and see many yesteryear. MBF, as we often call it, is documentary entitled "A South Road to of the artifacts that they brought with more than just an exhibit-it's a portal Oregon: The History of the Applegate them. You'll also get to know the farm­ waiting to transport you to an earlier Trail," produced by Southern Oregon ers, miners, loggers, merchants, and time when life was a bit rough around Public Television. Don't miss it! railroad workers who fueled the growth the edges and work called for strong of towns such as Ashland, Phoenix, backs and calloused hands. Discover Jacksonville, and Medford. It truly is the tools, architecture, agriculture, and "history in the making." fraternal organizations that shaped Southern Oregon.

FALL 2006 . SOUTHERN OREGON HER ITAGE TODAY 5 From the Collection

TOOLS OF THE TRADE The SOHS collection contains a large number of artifacts relating to crime, punishment, and the various tools used by law enforcement and lawbreakers. The items on this page were originally part of the collection belonging to the Jacksonville City Museum. Unfortunately, museum records at the time were very limited so important details regarding their origins and histories were missing when the items were donated to SOHS in 1950.

1. HACKSAW. Apparently homemade, this crude device was made out of a bent piece of wire, 118 inch in diameter, with a blade set attached by a wing nut. While there is no way to verify the claim, records read: "Claimed that a prisoner sawed his way out of the ... jail with this improvised saw." SOHS Accession #297

2. ROPE. Claimed to be from the main rope that was used in the hanging of Captain Jack at Fort Klamath, Oregon, November 11, 1873. Captain Jack was hung for the murder of General Canby of the U.S. Army. SOHS Accession #488 2.

3. LEG SHACKLE. Pair of heavy iron leg shackles, hand forged. Each shackle has two holes for pins or rivets and is hinged around the ankle portion. The two ends are connected by a 7 inch iron link. According to the collections records, these shackles were riveted to a prisoner's ankles by a Jacksonville blacksmith and removed when 3. the prisoner entered the state penitentiary. SOHS Accession #498

4. HANDCUFFS. Black iron held together by three links of heavy chain. According to the Jacksonville City Museum records, this pair was used on prisoners at the 4. Jacksonville Jail (year unknown). SOHS Accession # 306

6 I FALL 2006 . SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY Then and Now

Two of the greatest technological advances in law enforcement were in transportation and communications. From Sheriff Jim Birdsey and his trusted steed (ca. 1890) to the two-way radio installed in police cars of the 1950s to the state-of-the-art, computerized, 150-mile-per-hour police interceptors of today, the need to stay one step ahead of the "bad guys" has produced some impressive ,. crime-fighting innovations.

Top: ...... r~ Jim Birdsey was Jackson County Sherifffrom 1888-1891. SOHS Photo #759 ", I ~ . \ ~l~ / .~~'\\,~ A.. Center: ,...:, . - ~ __ ,,"' r- _ '~\ \~ . A Medf ord police officer calling in on his two-way radio, ~ , _.' . :5~ /"~ ,J. --I,,:/Ji- ,- 1. \, ./ ca. 1950s. SOHS Photo #16072

II,: _ i' • : 'J ";, '\ '0 ~' . ~! Bottom: I I ." • •• > .. ~ Chief David Towe of the Jacksonville Police Department (, ,,\\. - 4/ . ',> utilizing his patrol car's sophisticated computer ~ . Ij \ __ .aV technology, 2006. SOHT staffphoto l· I I /

FALL 2006 . SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY 7 MURDER ON 1-5 by Lore Rutz-Burri On a Sunday night, late in September 1993, I was the on-call deputy dis­ trict attorney in Josephine County, Oregon. Around 10:00 p.m. I got called to join the Sheriff's deputies at the Manzanita Rest Area off of Interstate 5 just north of Grants Pass. A German national, John Wetzel, had been shot.

HIS COMPANIONS, Erwin and Monika States together. Later, Monika encour­ approached, shot John, and then fled. Rochholz, had driven him to a near­ aged her ex-husband to join John and The crime scene investigation did not by home and had summoned help. Mr. her in the United States. Originally, they support her story, and soon detectives Wetzel, however, died shortly thereafter, lived in the Northeast where John had speculated that Erwin had shot John and the Sheriff's office began its investi­ family ties, but soon all three moved to Wetzel because of his jealousy over gation. Monika and The investiga­ John's relation­ tion was compli­ ship. cated by a language Although barrier-Erwin their travel Rochholz spoke no arrangements English, Monika seemed a bit spoke very little. suspicious, they Because my role in had been travel­ the case was as a ing together for "legal advisor" not at least a month, an investigator, I so, we wondered, tried to keep out why did Erwin of everyone's way. wait until the rest However, I speak area? Wouldn't some German Bear Camp Road (having lived in have made a bet­ Austria for eigh­ ter place to kill teen months and Interstate 5 north of Grants Pass, Oregon. and thereby avoid being married to detection? Further a Swiss man), so I listened intently to Florida. They spent about six months investigation revealed that Monika was ascertain if the two were making any there, operating (and perhaps owning) a the one with knowledge of weapons incriminating responses to one another in carwash. The business began to fail and and was a registered owner of a small German. money dwindled, so they packed up and handgun. Perhaps she had gotten into a A German teacher was later called to left (with their Old English sheepdog) for quarrel with John and shot him? the station to assist with the investigation Vancouver, B.C. Neither Rochholz was saying much, by translating the Rochholz's initial state­ On the day of the homicide they had and due to the language barrier it was ments. These revealed that John Wetzel traveled in their conversion van from somewhat difficult to seriously interro­ was Monika's boyfriend and that the two the over Bear Camp Road, gate them. Because they had overstayed had met at a drug and alcohol reha­ landing-much later than anticipated their visas, Erwin and Monika were bilitation facility in Germany. Thereafter, and with frazzled nerves-on Interstate in violation of immigration law, and Monika and Erwin were divorced, and 5. They stopped at the Manzanita Rest the Immigration and Nationalization John and Monika came to the United Area. According to Monika, a stranger Service (INS) placed a "hold" on

8 I FALL 2006 • SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY ('The FBI investigator's interrogation revealed that John Wetzel had been drinking heavily that day, and had become antagonistic and increasingly aggressive to Erwin. At the rest area John came after Erwin with the handgun. They struggled, the gun went off, and the bullet struck John."

them. This hold "Dutch" Whitehead allowed investi­ and retrieved gators more time personal belong­ to determine ings from the van whether Erwin and mailed most to and Monika were Germany. Animal themselves some­ Control gave me cus­ how involved tody of "Wueschel" with the shoot­ the sheepdog. I ing. We soon kept him for about located an FBI four months until agent fluent in Erwin's family sent German who was the $800 needed able to come to for his "ticket" to Grants Pass and Germany. (My hus­ interrogate them. band and I sadly Meanwhile, drove him down to the investigation San Francisco to see The Manzanita Rest Area continued locally him on the plane!) and under much scrutiny. Although ing heavily that day, and had become Finally, over the next twelve years I rou­ homicides are occasionally committed antagonistic and increasingly aggressive tinelypassed the blood -soaked van that had in Josephine County, they rarely receive to Erwin. At the rest area John came been impounded that September night in international or even national attention. after Erwin with the handgun. They the Sheriff's impound lot. It was recently This case, however, was different. Because struggled, the gun went off, and the bul­ demolished, understandably never it involved German citizens with con­ let struck John. The District Attorney's having been claimed by Wetzel's nections to Florida, the media perhaps Office did not file charges based upon parents - the registered owners. assumed some tie to several recent and the justification of self-defense, but INS highly publicized cases in which German still proceeded with deportation. The DR. LORE RUTZ-BURRI, JD, is the nationals had been killed while vacation- Rochholzes were transferred to Clark former Deputy District Attorney for ing in Florida (apparently, Florida license County Jail until they waived hearings Josephine County and an experienced plates denoted rental cars, and intern a- and were flown from Portland back criminal trial lawyer. She is currently tional visitors in rental cars had been to Germany. My recollection is that an Associate Professor of Criminology selected as vulnerable prey). For sev- Rochholz was released to the custody at Southern Oregon University. eral days after the shooting, then District of his family while the case was inves­ Attorney Tim Thompson handled calls tigated in Germany and that German from international media (particularly officials also decided not to prosecute. German newspapers and magazines), My connection to the case continued national media, and, of course, the local long after Erwin and Monika left the media. This case may have been the most county. I met with Erwin Rochholz widely publicized homicide in Josephine while he was housed at the Clark County County history. Jail. Also, once the investigation was The FBI investigator's interrogation finished, and upon Erwin Rochholz's revealed that John Wetzel had been drink- request and expense, Sheriff's Detective

FALL 2006 . SOUTHERN OREGON H ER ITAGE TODAY 9

OF VICE AND MEN The Evolution of Crime and Policing in Southern Oregon

by Mike Moran, Medford Police Lieutenant (Retired)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mike Moran Crime in the Past served on the Medford Crime has always been with us and has evolved and changed right along Police Department from with other aspects of our society. We often hear crime statistics reported that 1976-2006. During that give us an impression of how bad or good the quality of life may be within time, he was the depart­ a community. Mark Twain put crime ment's unofficial histo­ statistics in proper perspective when he quoted Benjamin Disraeli in his autobi­ rian. This afforded him ography: "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, damn lies and statistics." the opportunity to learn Our country did not begin gather- many interesting things ing nationwide crime statistics until 1935. That year, the Federal Bureau of about the evolution of Investigation (FBI) began asking local jurisdictions to report their crimes to the crime and crime fighting in Bureau in a standardized format that is used to publish the FBI's annual Uniform Southern Oregon. In this Crime Report. Today, current informa­ article, he briefly exam­ tion about every county and most cities in the country is readily accessible on the ines the growth ofpolic­ Internet. In looking for crime statistics from ing in Southern Oregon, the 19th century and the early part of the growth of the Medford the 20th, a general feel for things is best gained from reading local newspapers Police Department, the from the time. From these we learn that crime in the past was much like crime changing nature of the today. The majority of cases involve crimes against persons, such as assault, crimes committed over the and property crimes such as theft. last 100 years, and a brief There are always new wrinkles that develop over the years but essentially overview of some high­ crime is consistent and predictable in that it will occur because human nature profile murder cases in doesn't change. Jackson County. Chief]. Clateous McCredie (center, with hand on rail) and members of the Medford Police Department, ca . 1950.

FALL 2006 • SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY I 11 "The Jackson County Sheriff's office was formed along with the county itself in the 1850s. The office of Sheriff is actually mandated in the Oregon Constitution. The office of Sheriff was the first local civilian law enforce­ ment official in this area."

The Medford Police A more complete overview Department's earliest of crime in the past is pro­ archives are microfilm vided by a crime chart from a police logs from the report on the Medford Police 1920s. The logs, known Department issued in 1951. as "Trouble Sheets," According to the report, were handwritten chro­ in 1945 there were 194 nologies of police events Major Crimes committed from the mundane to in Medford. Major Crimes the most serious crimes. included Homicide, Negligent Each individual "Trouble Manslaughter, Rape, Robbery, Report" usually had one Burglary, Aggravated Assault, to four entries and even Theft, and Auto Theft. There something as serious were no reported crimes at as a death investigation all in the first three of those was often reduced to a categories; the largest category single sentence. Written was Theft with U5 cases. in basic and direct ver­ By 1950, total Major biage, the Trouble Sheets Crimes in Medford had nearly seem quaint and give an tripled to 326 with similar impression that not a lot high Theft numbers. From was going on in Medford. 1945 through 1950 there were

The following are several Sheriff Is aac Coffman in front of the Jacksonville City Hall, ca. 1940s. three murders and twelve rob- examples: SOHS Photo #16070 beries, with burglaries aver­ aging around five per month. January 28, 1933:" ... (suspect) picked March 15, 1933: "Bungalow Store Today, the additional crime of Arson up prowling in Medford Building has 409 North Riverside was entered is counted in the Major Crime Index. mother on Coleman Creek. Brother through side door, 151bs of but­ Deducting Arson numbers, the 2004 in law .. . on N. Front. Nothing missing ter, 3 or 4 Ibs of bacon, $25 fishing Uniform Crime Report for Medford was this morning so turned him loose. tackle, $20 worth of watches, 4,321 cases. Of course it serves to remem­ Claimed he was looking for warm lh dozen pipes, small safe. ber that Medford's population in 1950 place to sleep." August 1, 1934: "... Robert, was 18,000 compared to today's nearly 70,000. March 8, 1933: "Be sure and see 1019 W. Main, reports that a dog about dog at end of Beatty Street. belonging to William, 1600 N. Growth of Policing Complaint about cow ...on W. Riverside, bit him on the arm Fortunately, law enforcement has lith tied two (sic) a tree bawls all yesterday afternoon." improved and evolved to meet the the time." August 5, 1934: "... Somebody increasing challenges of fighting March 11, 1933 Medford Police took the fire extinguishers down crime. Today in Jackson County there Daily Trouble Report: "Be sure at the N-side Apts. and squirted it are several Federal agencies present and get Earl Binn's milk lic(ense) all over the hall. .. Clyde S., Grants including the FBI, Immigration and to him" Pass, had stolen last night four Naturalization Service (INS), and the wheels & tires off Model A Ford." continued on page 14

12 I FALL 2006 . SOUTHERN OREGON HER ITAGE TODAY Lewellyn A. Banks, a failed orchardist acre park on Roxy Ann Peak was built HONORING and newspaper owner, and real estate by men of the Civilian Conservation speculator Earl H . Fehl spearheaded Corps and named in memory of George THE FALLEN a movement of small orchardists and Prescott. 9 rural residents that railed against the Another Medford park named for Jackson County Memorials county's more affluent and powerful a fallen law enforcement officer is to Slain Law Enforcement political and business leaders, whom Fichtner-Mainwaring Park, south of they called the "Gang." 6 Stewart Avenue. Ken Mainwaring was Officers In the bitter election of 1932, Fehl a thirty-one-year-old Medford crime was elected County Judge (the equiva­ prevention officer who drowned in June by Craig Stillwell lent of today's Commissioner), and 1974 while taking a group of youths Gordon Schermerhorn, a Banks/Fehl on an overnight hike down the Lower SEVERAL SITES IN JACKSON County supporter, narrowly defeated incum- Rogue River. 10 memorialize the law enforcement offi­ A bronze plaque in the Singler cers who have lost their lives while on Memorial Plaza bears the name of three the job. other officers who lost their lives while In the August D. Singler Memorial on duty: Charles Basye, a jailer who Justice Plaza, next to the County Jail in was bludgeoned to death in 1917 by an Medford, a granite monument honors inmate escaping from the Jacksonville the first Jackson County lawman to fall jail II; and Samuel Prescott and Victor in the line of duty. Knott, two Ashland policeman, who A respected Medford constable since were shot and killed in separate inci­ 1909, thirty-six-year-old August Singler dents in 1931. 12 was elected county sheriff in the fall of 1912.1 An enterprising sleuth, Singler CRAIG STILLWELL has a Ph.D. in was the first Southern Oregon law History from the University of Notre officer to use bloodhounds and finger­ Dame and is currently an instructor in printing in his work.2 He had been in the Colloquium Program at Southern office only four months when, on the Constable George f. Prescott, 1933. SOHS Oregon University. evening of April 22, 1913, he approached Photo #9154 a hillside cabin a mile southwest of ENDNOTES Jacksonville with an arrest warrant bent Ralph Jennings for sheriff. In "Sheriff Singler Died as a Hero." Mail Tribune. for nineteen-year-old Lester Jones, a January 1933, the county's growing February 28, 1985, p. 15. 2 "Party I Am Working For." (Document in fugitive wanted for burglary. While a anti-insurgent faction was able to get "Singler" vertical file at the SOHS). deputy waited at the foot of the hill, a ballot recount of the sheriff race. In 3 "Sheriff Singler and Yo ung Bandit Both Slain Singler-revolver drawn-went up the response, Banks and Fehl organized in Duel with Revolvers." Mail Tribune. April 23, 1913; Campbell, Mary Ann. "Shootout." the "Good Government Congress" and steps of the cabin. From inside, Jones Mail Tribune. February 18, 1979, p. 6A. fired three shots, and even though one then orchestrated the February theft of 4 Hill, Tom, "Honor Sought to Slain Sheriff." bullet pierced both Singler's lungs, he the contested ballots from the unfin­ Mail Tribune. December 25, 1992, p. 3A. 5 "Banks Slays G. Prescott When Arrest was able to fire all six rounds in return, ished vault of Medford's newly built Attempted." Mail Tribun e. March 16, 1933. killing Jones. 3 County Courthouse. Stolen ballot bags 6 LaLande, Jeff. "Jackson County in Rebellion: Singler was rushed to Medford's were later found in the Rogue River and The Turbulent 1930s." In Land in Common. Southern Oregon Historical Society, 1993, Sacred Heart Hospital, where he died the courthouse furnace. 7 pp. 83-101. the next morning, leaving behind a Banks was implicated in the ballot 7 & 8 Ibid. wife and eight children.4 On the day of theft, and on the morning of March 9 LaLande, Jeff. "A Historical Overview of his funeral, flags were lowered to half­ 16, 1933, Constable Prescott knocked Roxy Ann Peak and Prescott Park." (Report Prepared for City of Medford, Department mast and all Medford businesses closed. on the door of his West Main Street of Parks & Recreation), 1983. Twenty years later, another highly house. Banks' wife opened the door and 10 Hutchinson, PeggyAnn. "Medford Police respected law officer, sixty-three-year­ Banks shot Prescott in the chest with a Officer Missing in Rogue River." Mail Tribune. June 14, 1974. old Constable George J. Prescott, was deer rifle, killing the officer instantly.8 11 "Prisoners Break Jail and Escape." shot dead on a Medford front porch as Banks was sent to prison where he Mail Tribune. June 12, 191 7. he tried to serve an arrest warrant. 5 later died. 12 The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. In the early years of the Depression, In the mid-to-Iate-1930s, a 1,740- http://www.od mp.org

FALL 2006 • SOU T H ERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY 13 Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The helpers could be called upon to assist the of ten in the first twenty-two years. Oregon State Police, which celebrated Marshal by patrolling the town during However, there have only been eighteen its 75th anniversary in 2006, has been the nighttime hours. They were paid at a police chiefs in the history of the depart­ providing invaluable assistance to the rate of $3 per night. ment, suggesting that stability ofleader­ public and other police agencies since its The Marshal's position was an elected ship is more prevalent in recent years inception. than in the department's The Jackson County early days. Sheriffs office was formed Chief]. Clateous along with the county McCredie preSided itself in the 1850s. The over the longest office of Sheriff is actu­ tenure (1927 to ally mandated in the 1953) and dur­ Oregon Constitution. ing a time of The office of Sheriff great changes was the first local in Medford. He civilian law enforce­ was assisted ment official in by one of the this area. better -known Over the years, officers of the as towns formed department, local governments, Joe Cave. Cave police services were worked his way provided through the from patrolman office of Town Marshal to Assistant Chief in most communi- during his years ties. Today, there are with the Police ten municipal police Department. He departments in Jackson retired in 1949. County prOViding law MPD has actually enforcement services to Medford Police, ca. 1900. SOHS Photo #5246 only had two men their cities. who held the title Medford was one of the municipal one, but there were several appOinted Assistant Chief. Cave was the first and latecomers to the valley, forming a town Marshal's due to resignations. Medford the other was George Lucas who retired government in 1885. In March of that grew rapidly from 1885 to the begin­ in 1981 as Assistant chief. year, J. H. Redfield was appointed the ning of the 20th century and town lead­ The department grew slowly in the first Town Marshal. Marshal Redfield ers changed the city government and early years. Until 1911 only the Chief was paid $500 per year and later that police department to keep pace with and night watchman were full time. Two year the Town Council voted to pur­ that growth. On January 1, 1901 the officers were added that year and the chase him a Marshal's star for $2.50. Town became the City of Medford and three men and the Chief handled all the In June 1885, Isaac Woolf was Marshal Charles G. Johnson became poliCing duties until 1921. Prohibition appOinted a "special policeman" to assist Medford's first Chief of Police. and the growth of the city demanded the Marshal. He also was given $500 per It was a mixed blessing for Marshal adding more officers. There were a total year. Modern police agencies struggle to Johnson for the newly appointed Chief of nine in 1935. That number remained ensure that supervisors receive compen­ Johnson had to take a one dollar cut constant until 1942 when Camp White sation higher than those they supervise. in pay from $46 to $45 per month. opened in the Agate Desert, where The issue is known as "compaction," and However, he did get a new badge that White City is today. it apparently existed in the early days of said Chief of Police. It cost the The U.S. Army base brought an the Medford Police Department. City $2.65. estimated 40,000 soldiers to the area. In addition to the "special policeman" During the early years of the depart­ When they visited town it increased or night watchman, a pool of part-time ment there were many chiefs-a total the need for police services. The police continued on page 16

14 I FA LL 2006 • SOUTHERN OREGON HER ITAG E TODAY WHITE COLLAR CRIME: The Collapse of the Bank of Jacksonville by Margaret LaPlante

IN MANY OLD MOVIES "The Roaring 20s" were symbolized monies as his own to invest in real estate with Owen. At by the prototypical Chicago mobster: tough guy with a cigar in the time of the bank closure, Owen's personal bank account one hand and a Tommy gun in the other. When he and his gang was overdrawn by $60,000. Mr. Johnson admitted that he robbed a bank, they did it in style: bursting through the front falsified the records for Owen's bank account to defraud the doors, guns drawn, yelling "Get 'em up, this is a holdup," then bank examiner. Owen was convicted and sent to the state leaping into the getaway car penitentiary. and leaving behind a couple A similar situation of dead bodies and the smell existed with Chester of burning rubber. Kubli, son of a prominent But you never see too pioneer family. Johnson many old movies about testified that he had falsi­ white-collar crime of that fied the bank records on era. Perhaps it was too sub­ behalf of Kubli after using tle, too boring. But in the $16,000 of the bank's summer of 1920, just such money to help Kubli a crime took place in the finance a cattle busi­ little town of Jacksonville, ness. As of August 1920, Oregon that had all the Kubli's bank account was makings of a classic film overdrawn by $42,000. noir. For on August 11 of Kubli was also convict- that year, the state bank ed and sent to the state examiner locked the doors The Bank ofJacksonville, ca . 1915. SOHS Photo #10270 penitentiary. of the Bank of Jacksonville One of the largest and arrested its president and vice president. depositors in the Bank of Jacksonville was Jackson County W.H. Johnson, President/Cashier of the Bank ofJacksonville, itself, which lost $107,000 in the scheme. Jackson County was indicted on 30 counts, including misstatement of the Treasurer Myrtle Blakely was arrested and charged with bank's condition, receiving monies in a known insolvent bank­ "aiding and abetting a bank cashier to make a false entry in ing institution, false certification of checks, and making false a bankbook" and "malfeasance of office." Blakely's first trial statements to a bank examiner. R.D. Hines, Vice President, was resulted in a hung jury. The outcome was the same for her indicted on seven counts and charged with the same crimes. second and final trial. The citizens of Jacksonville were shocked to learn of the Finally in 1930, the state bank examiner completed the accusations against the men. Johnson and Hines were half­ investigation and was able to liquidate the bank's assets as of brothers and highly regarded members of the community who the date of closure. Many of the banks' customers lost their were active in church circles. Panic spread throughout the town entire life savings. After waiting ten years, most received a for in those days, monies in the bank were not insured as they mere seventeen cents on the dollar. are today. Maybelle Offenbacher recalled that she and her husband Johnson and Hines initially pled innocent but later changed had $800 in the bank that August. The day before the bank their pleas to guilty. They were sentenced to ten years in the closed, her husband had sold a wagonload of grain for $30. He state penitentiary in Salem. The prosecuting attorney, E.E. stopped at the bank to deposit the money, but his wagon team Kelley, called it "The most colossal bank failure in the history was acting up and the bank was busy, so he headed home fig­ of banking." 1 uring he would deposit the money the following day. After the Soon, dozens of prominent citizens were arrested and charged bank closed that $30 was all they had to their names. with "aiding and abetting a bank cashier to defraud a bank." 1 Medford Mail Tribune, 5-24, 1921 p. 1 One such person was C.H. Owen. Johnson was the star Oral history of Maybelle Offenbacher, March 6, 1980 by witness in the case, admitting under oath to using the bank Marjorie Edens. Tape #141 , Southern Oregon Historical Society.

FALL 2006 . SOUTH ER N OREGON H ERITAGE TODAY 15 The Medford Connection: "Machine Gun" force was increased to eleven that year, Kelly and the House on Peach Street but those numbers were augmented by Military Police (MPs). City police were by Margaret LaPlante each accompanied on their rounds by THE KIDNAPPING OF THE INFANT SON of Charles Lindbergh and his wife Anne was two MPs. MPs were able to take action still on the minds of many Americans when they picked up their newspapers July against miscreant soldiers more quickly 23, 1933 to read that Charles Urschel, one of the country's wealthiest oilmen, had and effectively than the police offices. been kidnapped from his home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The police department later hired one of Two men stormed Urschel's home and took him at gunpoint to a house out the MPs, Roy Erickson, after the war. in the woods. The kidnappers demanded $200,000 in unmarked bills. The FBI Officer Erickson had many stories noted the serial numbers on the bills before handing the money over to a friend of of the booming Front Street area. After Urschel's who had been selected to do the handoff. Upon receipt of the money, the the war and continuing into the 1960s, kidnappers released Urschel nine days after his ordeal had begun. rowdy nightspots stretched from 4th The FBI headquarters had received tips Street to 10th Street. Erickson and fel­ that one of the nation's most notorious crim­ low officer Bob James were both hired inals, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, was in 1947 and made Front Street their involved. Kelly was no stranger to the law; he long-time foot beat. The first thing that had earned quite a reputation for bootlegging began to slow the rambunctious Front and robbing banks. It was thought that Kelly Street was the loss of passenger rail and Harvey Bailey were probably the ones service from Medford in 1955. Today, responsible. Bailey had just escaped from the Front Street has a growing number of state prison at Lansing, Kansas, and was thought to be on the run with Kelly. restaurants and is enjoying the benefits The FBI found Bailey a short time later in Tennessee and arrested him. Tips had of downtown renovation. come in to the FBI headquarters that Kelly was hiding out in a house in Memphis. By 1960, the full strength of the The FBI stormed the house and arrested Kelly and his wife Kathryn. police department was thirty-seven Nearly 17 months later, on November 7,1934, Alvin H. Scott was seriously sworn officers, from Chief Charles injured in an automobile accident in Roseburg, Oregon. When he was admitted Champlin to the newest patrol officers. to the hospital, it was discovered he had two wallets filled with Urschel's ransom Serious crime in Medford took a money totaling $1,360. Upon further investigation, the FBI discovered that Scott major spike after 1968. Up to that year, and his girlfriend, Margaret Hurtienne, and her five children had rented a house serious crimes were essentially constant on Peach Street in Medford. Scott was related to one of the accomplices in the with prior year numbers and Medford Urschel kidnapping. continued to enjoy (and still does today) The FBI descended on the house on Peach Street. At first glance, everything a relatively low annual murder rate. appeared normal. Then one FBI agent noticed a white piece of paper in a rafter in However, starting in 1969 and increas­ an outbuilding. The other agents began digging directly below the piece of paper ing through 1972, the total number of and discovered a fruit jar filled with Urschel's ransom money buried in the ground. Index Crimes increased about 93%. They continued digging throughout the yard and by the time they were done had Burglaries, thefts, and auto thefts discovered $6,140-all buried in fruit jars. were the main areas showing an The FBI took another look at the house Scott and Hurtienne had rented on increase. The number of robberies also Peach Street and noticed it had recently been painted and a room had been added grew, more than doubling from less to the rear of the house. The addition had a special ventilation system and an than one per month to two per month. electric heater. The FBI noticed the walls were stuffed with newspapers so one FBI The results of a survey of the Medford agent stood inside and screamed for help to see if the agents outside could hear Police Department conducted in 1973 him. None could. The FBI speculated that this secret room was intended for anoth­ led to recommendations for several er kidnap victim, possibly a wealthy person living in California or Oregon. changes in the structure of the depart­ Scott and Hurtienne each received five years for their part in the Urschel kid­ ment to enhance its crime-fighting napping. Their sentences were suspended and they were placed on parole. In all, ability. By the end of 1973, the depart­ twenty-one people were convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the Urschel ment had increased to a total of forty-six kidnapping. Both "Machine Gun" Kelly and Bailey were sent to Alcatraz. sworn officers. A heinous murder of a young Medford girl in 1976 led a shocked city council

16 I FALL 2006 • SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY to authorize an immediate increase of tunate statistic over Medford's history had been allowed to stay with her the ten patrol officers in 1977 (see details is the low number of homicides that night prior because he was a friend below). In the mid-1990s, instances of have occurred in the city when com­ of a friend and had no place to stay. "big city" crime started to surface with pared with the national homicide rate. Russell Loren Obremski had been in increased gang activ­ town working and ity. The new growth in ran out of money. crime activity led to a Obremski killed tax levy passed by voters Mrs. Lowe some­ that would increase the time after her hus­ size of the department. band and children Today there are ninety­ had left for work five sworn officers serv­ and school. ing the City of Medford. Later that after- noon, a woman High Profile who had been waiting outside Crimes the West Main Looking back, Pharmacy for many might think her children was that there were no reported miss- high profile crimes ing. The woman, in Jackson County Betty Ann Ritchie, in the past. That, had sent her sons sadly, is not true. The Officer Roy Erickson on duty in downtown Medford, ca. 1950. SOHS Photo #16982 into the store and most famous was what when they exited has been called the "Last Great Train From 1945 through 1950 there were the store she and her car were gone. Robbery." That well-chronicled crime three murders in the City of Medford. Jackson County Sheriff's Deputies occurred in Tunnel 13 on the Southern From 1969 through 1972 there were found a truck belonging to Obremski Pacific Line south of Ashland on six, and in two of those years there in the parking lot and contacted the October 11, 1923. Four men died in the were none. Medford PD to coordinate their inves- botched robbery committed by the De A low murder rate is still the norm tigations. Later that night Mrs. Ritchie Autremont brothers. for Medford, and from 2000 through was found murdered near Copper in There are many crimes that outrage 2002, and in 2004, there were no homi­ the Applegate Valley. or disturb a community. Few strike cides. In 2003 there were four, consid­ These murders created a great deal at the heart of a community more ered high by Medford standards, and of fear across the valley. The tragic than the murder of a police officer. In just one in 2005. circumstances were more frightening Jackson County's history there have The fact that overall homicide num­ knOWing the suspect was still at large. been five such cases. During just a bers have been low, however, does not The suspect was arrested on February twenty-year span from 1913 to 1933, mean that some of the homicides did 4, 1969 near Capitola, California. four local law enforcement officers not garner notoriety. There have been Obremski tried to evade an officer were murdered in the line of duty: three homicide cases in the past thirty­ who spotted him driving the car he'd Jackson County Sheriff August Singler seven years that brought national and stolen from Betty Ann Ritchie. The (1913); Ashland Police Officer Sam international attention to Medford as officer forced him to the side of the Prescott (1931); Ashland Police Officer the investigations unfolded. road and arrested him at gunpoint. He Victor Knott (1931); Medford Police still had a loaded weapon in the car. Constable George Prescott (1933); and 1969 Eventually, Obremski was sen­ Oregon State Police Officer Phillip On February 3, 1969, Medford tenced to life in prison. However, this Lowd (1952). (See related article on Police responded to the 2500 block of case became noteworthy again in 1994 page 13.) Gould Ave. in North Medford on a when Obremski was paroled. CBS Murder is a crime that often defines reported homicide. Laverna May Lowe, News sent Dan Rather to Medford the livability of a community. One for- mother of five was killed by a man who to do a story for the program "48

FALL 2006 . SOUTHER N OREGO N H ERITAGE TODAY 17 " A low murder rate is still the norm for Medford, and from 2000 through 2002, and in 2004, there were no homicides. In 2003 there were foul; considered high by Medford standards, and just one in 2005."

1 ,I Hours." Within weeks Acremant admitted of the story, Obremski knowing the couple had violated his condi­ were lesbians and that tions of parole and was it was a factor in his returned to prison. actions. Acremant 1976 was sentenced to death for his crimes In October 1976 the and is currently on City of Medford was death row awaiting shocked by the murder execution. of a six-year-old girl in Bear Creek Park The Future while on an outing with a youth group. of Policing Elizabeth Ann Marken From the installation had moved to Medford of computers in police from California with her vehicles, to increased mother who wanted to cooperation with escape from life in and communication the "big city." Medford Police officers destroy an illegal pinball machine, 1966. SOHS Photo between local, state, Elizabeth had and federal agencies, gone to Bear Creek Park with a group December 1995. This case drew inter­ policing in the Rogue Valley has become from the YMCA after school on a national attention when two Medford a much more efficient -and com­ Friday. At some point that afternoon business and life partners were mur­ plex-profession than it was in the days she was found missing. Meanwhile, a dered. Both Roxanne Ellis and Michelle of Charles G. Johnson, Medford's first bicyclist on the bike path found her in Abdill were activists for gay and lesbian Chief of Police. As new technologies are a small pond where a suspect had left rights. When they first went missing on developed, and as the population grows, her after sexually assaulting and mur­ December 4, 1995 there was a palpable crime and law enforcement practices will dering her. fear in the valley, and particularly in the continue to evolve. The police department worked on gay community, that they were victims Studying the history of the profes­ the case virtually non-stop for several of a hate crime. The case immediately sion, however, reveals that there are days . The Marken's neighbors rallied to became an international concern as at least two constants: the ever-pres­ help. One of those neighbors who came the search continued. On December 7, ent danger for those who serve and an to meetings about the murder was Michelle and Roxanne were found dead unending need for their service. eventually identified as the suspect. in the back of their pickup in another Robert McBride lived in the Marken's part of town from where they had been MIKE MORAN was a Medford police West Medford neighborhood and was kidnapped. officer for 29 years. He is currently a real­ found to have been in Bear Creek Park The suspect, Robert James tor and a member of the Medford School on the day of the attack. Acremant, was arrested weeks later Board. Mike lives in Medford with his He was convicted and sentenced to in California. He also was a suspect wife Julie and sons Jake and Murphy. life in prison. in a murder of a friend near Visalia. 1995 Acremant originally conceived his plot Perhaps the most infamous crime as a robbery to finance his infatua­ in the history of Medford occurred in tion with a Las Vegas stripper. Later,

18 FA LL 2006 • SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY THE LAST HANGING IN JACKSONVILLE by Margaret LaPlante

ON NOVEMBER 20, 1884, Anson Jacobs was walking towards his house on Church Street in Ashland just before midnight when he saw something in the road. He held his lantern up to get a better view and was shocked to find his neighbor, Lewis McDaniel, near death from a gunshot wound. Jacobs rushed to get help but McDaniel succumbed to his injuries shortly after a doctor arrived. The townsfolk had been gossiping about Lewis' wife, Mandy McDaniel, and a man by the name of Lewis O'Neil. They claimed that Lewis McDaniel had warned O'Neil to stay away from his house and his family. The police found O'Neil and arrested him for the murder of McDaniel. O'Neil was placed in the Jacksonville Jail to await his trial. Four days after the shooting, the murder weapon was found. O'Neil admitted he had previously owned a gun similar to the one found but said he had "sold it awhile back." On February 17, 1885 Judge Webster sentenced O'Neil to death by hanging. The gallows were built between the jail and the Jackson County Courthouse, with the jail forming one wall of the fence and the courthouse another. The day arrived and approximately 200 people who had tickets for the "event" gathered on the lawn of the courthouse. Father Blanchet accompanied O'Neil to the gallows and when SheriffJacobs asked O'Neil ifhe had any final words to say, it was Father Blanchet who replied that O'Neil did not. After the hanging, O'Neil was buried in the pauper section of the Jacksonville cemetery. The rope used was cut into small pieces and distributed amongst the crowd. Sometime later, letters were found that O'Neil supposedly wrote, including one to his brother George. Following are excerpts from the letter O'Neil may have written to his brother: "My health is very poor, owing to trouble and close confinement. I have not seen the sun for over eleven months and I have suffered a thousand deaths since I have been here shut up. If I get no assistance I will have to hang in nine days from now. "According to my age I might live long enough to raise my children so they could take care of themselves. And as for you, you have lived to be very old, and in the natural course of events you can expect to live but a few years more, and are liable to drop off at any time. If you had one hour to live it would be a hard request to ask you to come and state that you done the killing and that I had not any hand, act or part in it or any knowledge of it. That would clear me, and spare me to my children, and only on their account I can I think of making such a request to you." O'Neil goes on to ask his brother to keep the letter a secret, but if he does comply with the request to say that he had had a grudge against McDaniel for more than twenty years. He reminds George of the date the murder took place and instructs him that he will need to sign a confession, witnessed by others. We will never know whether George would have been inclined to help his brother. George died March 5, 1886, at the age of 72 of typhOid fever, four days before the hanging.

FAL L 2006 . ~1)RAl> ~"v <} MEMBERS o F THE H I STORICAL SOCIETY U __ wu C> New and Rejoining Members Pauline Black & Edwin Johnson, Ashland Porter & Corinne Lombard, Medrord June 1, 2006 - August 31, 2006 Lyn & Bill Boening, Jacksonville Philip & Lori Long, Central Point V) Wellington & Margaret Bonner, White City Laurie & Dr. Gary MacGraw,Ashlond Lifetime ,." .Q; Ted Boster, Central Point Bill & Susie Mackey, Rogue River Noel & Lovella Moore, Central Point Joan Bowen, Medford Mike & Mary Mahar, Medford ME~~-

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Family/ Pioneer Glenda Cossette, Central Point Frances Price, Medford Amy Sisemore, Central Point Robert & Alpha Jane Butler, Medford Betty Costelloe, Medford Barbara Ragus, Medford Virginia Snow, Boise, ID Robert & Karen Carr, Medford Glenn & Jane Crocker, Desert Hot Springs, CA Dr Ruth Resch, Ashland Ben Stinson, San Mateo, CA William & Barbara Carter, Medford Maribeth Curran, Medford Paul Richardson, Salem Billianne Thomas, Medford Hazel Colvig, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Viola Davis, Jacksonville Deborah Rowland, Eagle Point Paulena Verzeano, Rogue River Raymond & Norma Colvig, Berkeley, CA Christopher Day, Tiburon, CA Hilmer Schmidt, Philomath Janice Whetstone, Jacksonville Lois Hubbard Curtner, Wilsonville Karma Denton, Medford Nina Schmidt, Jacksonville Mary Wilkinson, Marysville, WA Marthanne & Dennis Dedrick, Medford Roger DeShazer, Eagle Point Margaret Shaw, Grants Pass Cloma Williams, Medford George Ditsworth & Velda Dickey, Medford Ray & Shirley Sims, Roseburg Thomas Williams, Son FranCisco, CA Catherine Cooper-Ditsworth, Puyallup, WA Margaret Dole, Ashland Elwin & Phyllis Sire, Medford Sandra & Gerald Zimmer, Canby Joel & Jo Anne Elias, Kensington, CA Ulla Feeley, Central Point Patsy Smullin, Medford Subscri ber Jon Sam Elliott, Marshall Ferg, Elise Smurzynski, Shady Cove & Medford Brookings North Mou ntain Pa rk Nature Center, Ashland Rita Fossen, Paul Sotos, Ashland Michael & Kathy Enright, Jacksonville Jacksonville Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN Betty & Wallace Eri, Lakeview Lowell Fowler, Phoenix Louise Speegle, Medford Theressa Fisher, Eagle Point W.O. Gardiner, Medford Lois Stanley, Eagle Point Donors Eloise Friesen, Medford Dr. Robert Gerber, Phoenix John Statler, Medford June 7,2006 -August 3 7,2006 Dr. James & Dorothy Gregory, Long Beach, CA Phil & Jean Getchell, Son Jose, CA John Stec, Klamath Falls Richard & Alice Berger, Eagle Point Dr. Keith & Patricia Harrison, Medford Marvin Gettling, Talent Jean Strand, Ashland Judi Drais, Medford Catherine Hayes, Ashland Shirley Gleason, Talent Sylvia Surratt, Medford Laura Gentner & Lloyd Dunwald, Grants Pass Karl & Bette Hayes, Lake Oswego Greg Goebelt, Talent Bonnie Symmonds, Medford Vera Elmgren, Medford Fred & Dixie Kruggel Jr., Medford Charles Gorr, Medford Dan Teglia, Medford Frank & Anna Marcel, Grants Pass Heather Laird, Ashland Audrey Green, Central Point Susan & John Thornburg, Grants Pass Nancy Martin, Easton, MD Aria Linton & D Mulrine, Sacramento, CA Elizabeth Greer, Ashland Muriel Trammell, Medford Kathie Olsen, Jacksonville Ruby & Dr. Jack Littlepage, Sandy Guches, Alexandria, VA Rosa Tucksen, Talent Nancy & Bruce Samson, Lake Oswego Victoria, BC CANADA Allen Hallmark, Ashland Harry & Theresa Turner, Medford Barbara Sloggett, Honolulu, HI Jacqueline & Tom Mitchell, Medford Sharon Heisel, Central Point Maria Vaughan, Rogue River Whitfield Smith, Ashland Bruce & Arlene Morga n, Medford Ralph Herbold, Ashland Barbara Wade, Vallejo, CA James & Jane Verdieck, Medford Andrew & Constance Murphy, Jacksonville Shirley Houston, Talent Todd Watson, Medford Clarence Wangle, Central Point Evan & Dorothy Pruitt, Central Point William & Margit Howell, White City Steve Weiner, Ashland Gift Membership Donors Cyndi & John Rich, Medford Anne James, Medford Dean & Linda Welch, Medford Dottie & Ken Anderson, Central Point Bill & Janet Rosecrans, Gold Hill Frank & Laura James, PaCifica, CA Daniel & M. 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Kelly, Medford Jonnie Zheutlin, Ashland Betty Costelloe, Medford Pamela Slinker, Klamath Falls Willard & Florence Kemp, Medford Individual/Pioneer Michael & Kathy Enright, Jacksonville Richard & Carol Stark, Medford John Kemper, Medford Nita Albrecht, Brookings Larry & DeWanda Hall, Medford Lillian & Allen Stewart, Jacksonville Carol Knapp, Jacksonville Carroll Bacigalupi, Kentfield, CA John & Nancy Hamlin, Medford Sheila & Warren Straus, Jacksonville Kaye Kroman, Ashland Ronald & Margaret Bartley, Ashland Don & Natalie Knudsen, Medford Linda Walker-Turner & John & Helene Kuoni, Basking Ridge, NJ Patricia & William Baum, Central Point Alice & Larry Mullaly, Central Point Robert Turner, Klamath Falls Paul Kyle, Medford Mark Boyden, Medford La Dona Pa rson, Medford Dave & JudyWallace, Grants Pass Steve & Linda Lane, Ashland Judie Bunch, Talent RJ & Carol Samuelson, Medford Arthur Wasser, Ashland Philip Lang & Ruth Miller, Ashland Mary Carlon, Medford Aria Thompson, Rogue River John Welch, Medford Marcella Lange, Jacksonville Elizabeth Carter, Eugene Rosa Tucksen, Talent Julia Woosnam, HalfMoon Bay, CA Margaret LaPlante, Medford Wilma Cook, Grants Pass In-Kind Donors Eugene & Marilyn Wright, Phoenix Robert Lee, Medford Sherry Cook, Stevenson, WA Amy Lepon, Ashland Bear Creek Kiwanis, Medford Individual Marian Cosner, Bend Barbara Lewis, Willows, CA Bruce Campbell,Jacksonville Bill Alley, Vancouver, WA Gary Criswell, McMinnville Jill Livingston, Klamath River, CA Jacksonville Kiwanis Kris Anderson, Portland Douglas & Phyllis Culy, Tempe, AZ Del Loder, Seattle, WA Jacksonville Rotary David Argetsinger, Medford Beverly Darling, Ashland Josephine Lopez, Medford KDRV Channel 12, Medford Nancy Bachmann, Medford Roberta Ellison, Contoocook, NH Sarah Lozano Larson & Medford Red lion Mary Badley, Medford Barbara Fields, Williams Ryan Larson, Son Diego, CA Outback Steakhouse, Medford Cyd Bagley, Medford Ed & Virginia Fields, Idaho City, ID Lynn Ludwick, Shady Cove Elmer & Colista Bailey,Jacksonville Nancy Firth, Grants Pass Grants and Sponsorships Karen Lundgren & John Wren, Ashland Edward Barrett, Medford Ed Fletcher, Portland Judi Drais, Medford Jean Maack, Medford Charles Beecham, Ashland Vera French, Pinole, CA Harriet Winton Fund, Oregon Community Joanne Mack, Granger, IN Alan Bender, Ashland Ardeen Hack, Belvedere, CA Foundation, Portland Duane Mallams, Central Point Victor & Claud ia Berg, Medford Roland Hartley, Solem Gwen Mansfield, Poulsbo, WA SOHS Endowment Fund Bob & Caroline Bessey, Medford Ann Harwood, Moscow, ID Dolores Marx, Ashland George Ditsworth & Catherine Cooper- Virginia Bockmier, Medford Barbara Kellenbeck, Grants Pass Maryann & Chuck Mason, Ashland Ditsworth, Puyallup, WA Donna Brewer, Medford Marvin & Patricia Kennedy, Medford Dr William Matthews, Medford Donna McLanahan, Honolulu, HI George Brown, Medford Melanie & Ronald Kuhnel, Eureka, CA Martha Mel ntyre, Ashland Bruce Budmayr, Rogue River Esther Merriman, Ashland The Collections Donna McLanahan, Honolulu, HI Sally Burris, Cherry Valley, CA J. Richard Morgan, Medford Thank you to the following people who Allison Millay, Gold Hill Gloria Butler, Medford Jane & Mike Murray, Durham, CA contributed to the SOHS collection over the Don & Zavive Minear, Medford Joseph & Gertrude Butler, Jacksonville James O'Quinn, Paso Robles, CA post three months. Mary Jo Mueggler, Ashland Beverly Calkins, Medford Cecil Owings, Eagle Point Wilma Bench, Talent Sharon Nelson, Ashland Christine Camarillo, Jacksonville John Peterson, Bandon Judith Bunch, Talent Mimi Newhagen, Medford Emily Campbell, Medford Vicki Plankenhorn, Talent Philip Getchell, Son Jose, CA Helene Ogle, Medford Harold & Jeannette Center, Medford Ina Reed, Klamath Falls Ron Jennison, Milwaukie Charles Ouellet, Medford Brad Cessnun, Central Point Linda & Kenneth Reeder, Medford Durinda Kelley, Nevada City, CA La Dona Parson, Medford Jeff & Denise Cheek, Medford Christine Reising & Colin McCoy, Eagle Point Ronald Krutak, White City Gary & Nancy Payton, Trail Virginia Choiniere, Ashland Billie Robertson, Lake Oswego Jeff LaLande Medford S Glen Percey, Grants Pass Myrtle Clark, Central Point Ronald Samuels, Studio City, CA Kay Mansfield, Medford Nedra Peterson, Fairfield, CA Wilma Cook, Grants Pass Martha Sheppard, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Julia Moore, Rogue River Jill Pfaff, Corvallis Daurel Coolidge, Medford Wilma & Kirk Simmons, Medford Geraldine Young, Ashland Frankie Porterfield, Eugene

FALL 2006 • SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY 21 Member Profile

CARL BROPHY, one The field of law changed of the most distinguished tremendously during Mr. attorneys in Southern Brophy's long career. In 'I Oregon history, is also the early days, there were a long-time member of no computers or electric I the Southern Oregon typewriters, and no copy Historical Society. machines. Everything had to Mr. Brophy was raised be typed with multiple car­ in Portland and attended bon copies, and if a mistake Oregon State on a basket­ were made, it had to be pains­ ball scholarship, intend­ takingly corrected on all the ing to become a chemical copies. Dictation was done on engineer. He enlisted in old Dictaphone wax cylinders the U.S. Marine Corps in that required shaving on a 1942, and after transfer­ small lathe-type machine ring to the University of after each use. Since there Southern California to was no computer for research, begin officer training, travel by train or car to law became interested in law. libraries in Salem or Portland He served as a Marine was sometimes necessary. officer in the South Fees were occasionally paid Pacific, and upon his "in kind," which included, in return in 1946 entered law one case, payment in school at the University of eggs from a farmer. Oregon, where he received In 1948, while in law Carl and Retha Brophy. Photo courtesy of Carl Brophy his law degree in 1949. school, Carl married Retha Carl practiced law in Medford for over fifty-three years. Rendahl, then a student at OSU, whom he had met on a In his early years, before the office of Public Defender was blind date on his first weekend home from overseas in 1946. established, he and other Jackson County lawyers often Together, they raised five children in Medford and are now served as court-appointed criminal counsel. And for many the proud grandparents of twelve grandchildren. years, before there was a legal aid office in Jackson County, Why does Carl Brophy support the Southern Oregon he and other lawyers provided free legal service to those Historical Society? "Tradition and history are two of the unable to afford representation. In his practice, Mr. Brophy things that attracted me to law in the first place. As an attor­ concentrated on civil matters, including extensive work in ney, I represented a lot of people who had resided in Jackson the agricultural and wood products industries. County for a very long time. That stimulated my interest in During the Civil Rights movement, he traveled to the earlier years of Jackson County. It's fascinating to learn Mississippi to provide legal services for African-Americans. about earlier life in any community and the Historical Society President Kennedy had initiated this program in 1963 provides a place for that learning. .1 because few southern lawyers were willing to represent "Also, I believe strongly in tradition and values. Our pre­ blacks in civil rights cases. In 1998, Mr. Brophy and twenty­ decessors coped with severe problems and adverSity, and the three other Oregon lawyers who had volunteered in this values that guided them can continue to guide us today and program were awarded the ACLU of Oregon's highest award, help us cope with modern problems. SOHS helps us remember the E.B. McNaughton Award, for their service. In 1999, Mr. those values." Brophy also received the Award of Merit, the highest award What inspires you to support SOHS? Please let us know of the Oregon State Bar, for his many contributions to the your story by calling Richard at 541-773-6536 ext. 226, or bench, bar, and community. e-mailing [email protected].

22 I FALL 2006 • SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY THE ART AND LIFE 0 REGINA DORLAND BINS N

REGINA DORLAND ROBINSON was determined to become an accomplished and successful artist. By 1916, at the age of twenty-four, she had gained a confidence and competency that gave her work its inspiring uniqueness. Art lovers and critics alike were starting to recognize her great talent, not only in her home state of Oregon, but also around the San Francisco Bay Area. Then, in the spring of 1917, she took her own life. How could she come so close to achieving her life's dream only to end it so abruptly? And why? The Southern Oregon Historical Society is proud to pres­ ent: Lasting Impressions: The Art and Life of Regina Dorland Robinson, a full-color, 1l2-page, coffee-table style book, written by Dawna Curler, featuring more than 75 images of Dorland's work - from her earliest known examples to masterfully produced oils and pastels created during the last year of her life. Lasting Impressions won't be available until early 2007, but SOHS Members who pre-order now through December I, 2006 will receive 10% off the $34.95 retail price. Order yours today for $31.45 (plus shipping/handling) and when the book becomes available, it will be shipped directly to you (if you have pre-paid the shipping/handling costs) or you may come pick up your copy in person (we will notify you when the books arrive). Send in the coupon below with a check or money order made out to the Southern Oregon Historical Society. To order via the web, visit www.sohs.org and click on "Online History Store." To order by phone, call 541-773-6536, ext. 226.

Please send me ___ copy(ies) of Lasting Impressions: The Art and Life of Regina Dorland Robinson @ $31.45 each (10% off regular price of $34.95). ~leasemail my copy to me when it arrives (I've added $6.00 shipping and handling per book). ------'please notify me when my copy arrives. I will pick it up in person.

Total enclosed: $ ______Name Address ______City State Zip _____ Phone ______Email ______

Make check payable to: SOHS and send to 106 North Central Ave., Medford, OR 97501 SOUTHERN OREGON --...0::: HISTORICAL SOCIETY ~ ~ ~ .. 541-773-6536 www.sohs.org

RESEARCH LIBRARY 106 N. Central, Medford

JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM HISTORY STORE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM 5th and C, Jacksonville

HANLEY FARM 1053 Hanley Rd., Hwy 238 Central Point AVAILABLE FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

c.c. BEEKMAN HOUSE California & Laure/wood Ja cksonville

c.c. BEEKMAN BANK 3rd & California, Jacksonville

U.S. HOTEL 3rd & California, Jacksonville AVAILABLE FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

A routine traffic stop in the late 19505, somewhere in Medford. SOHS Photo #16987

SOUTHERN OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY MISSION: To make history come alive by collecting, preserving, and sharing the stories and artifacts of our common heritage.

t:~~ NO N- P ROFIT ORG US POSTAGE SOUTHERN HISTORICAL 1111 PAID OREGON •••• SOCIETY PERMIT NO 164 Sinc-e 1946 MEDFORD, OR A MEMBER-SU PP ORTED ORGANIZATION 106 North Central Avenue Medford, Oregon 97501-5926

SO UTH ERN O REG ON H ERITAGE TO D AY