Keno and Some and Northeastern Siskiyou County History

KLAMATH ECHOES

Klamath County Historical Society

NUMBER 7 THE SLY-OWENS STATE LINE RANCH HOUSE Once a stopping place on the Shasta Valley-Klamath Country freight road 1870 to 1908. -Helen HeUrich photo A Memory

A grove of poplar trees, A barn with quaint projecting eaves; Some chickens scratching roundabout, And pigeons flying in and out.

A picket fence of faded blue, With Bouncing Betty peeping through; A cottage nestling 'neath the hill, With geraniums at each windowsill.

A porch o'er which yellow roses climb, And blossom in the summertime; And with the same sweet smile of yore, A mother waiting at the door. -author unknown i. Dedications

We respectfully dedicate this, the seventh issue of Klamath Echoes, to J. Frank Adams.

The 2003 reprinting is respectfully dedicated to Klamath County Historical Society members Wayne and Lois Ann Scott.

J. FRANlt ADAMS -courtesy Mra. Evea Adams

ii. Martin Broa. freight team. behind the old Merrill Branch of the Klamath County Bank (later lat Nat'l. Bank) on the Merrill to Montague run. --courtesy Melvin Bowman

First National Bank of Oregon

The St•te Wide B•nk with Home Town Service

Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

"WHERE TO CALL"

First N•tion•l B•nk of Oregon Klamath Falls Branch, 601 Ma in ______882-3444 South Sixth Street Branch, 2809 So. 6th______884-7751 Merrill Branch, 206 E. Front------·------.798-5211

lU. Fisherman' a Luck. Left to right: Vic Padgett Bud Padgett and Melvin Malloy. --

Balsiger Motor Company

Your FORD De1ler Since 1923 • NEW FORD CARS AND TRUCKS USED CARS AND TRUCKS • Main & Esplanade Telephone 884-3121 KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON

lV. In hont of the George J, Jory blackamith ahop on Main Street, MerriJJ. Imported Belgian atallion owned by Kale Oliver.

U.S. National Bank of Oregon

KLAMATH FALLS BRANCH TOWN & COUNTRY BRANCH 8th & Main 3720 So. 6th • Phone: 882-5581 • FREE PARKING - 8th & KLAMATH

KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON

v. MERRILL'S FIRST EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATING CLASS IN 1907 Back row, left to right: Louis Tolle. Herbert Demorest, John Ratliffe. Front row: Essa Ratliffe, G. R. Carlock, teacher, and Mabel Thomas. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson

MERRILL PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILT IN 1905 Picture about 1906. G. R. . Carlock. principal (left) and May Garrison, teacher. At extreme right, Mary David1on, teacher. Middle row. in front of second window from right, dark dre11. Juanita Ratlille. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson vi. MERRILL'S FIRST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM About 1915. Front row, left to right: Elmer Merritt, Arthur Robinson, Elmer Stukel. Clyde Greenbaugh. Back row: Leland Pope. Elmer Blodgett, Clyde Barrowa, Riley Powera. Leonard Bowman. Melvin Bowman and Prof. Blake. All present except Warren Fruita. -courtesy Melvin Bowmon

___,.. MERRILL'S 1915 HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM Left to right: Melvin Bowmcm, Elmer StukeL Bill Hammond. Clarence Robinaon. Leater Ofiield a:nd Prof Olney. -courtesy Melvin Bowman vii. Editor's Page

Jn this, the seventh issue of Klamath this section, a face probably not familiar Echoes, we are departing from our usual to many residents of the Klamath Basin. custom of one industry or one community In accordance, this year's Klamath Echoes per issue. Instead we are touching on the touches only lightly on the Butte Valley communities of Merrill, Keno and some and northeastern Siskiyou County history. of the territory in berween. This change in However, this area was covered quire policy is due co rhe fact that we have roo thoroughly by The SiJkiyot~ Pioneer Year man)' communities ro cover, and only one book of 1956, or Butte Valley Edition. issue per year ro do that, consequently we This book is out of print, but occasionally are not recording our clifferenr community a copy can be secured from the Siskiyou histories fast enough. County Historical Society, 910 Main Street, Instead, since we are covering several Yreka, California 96097. Also the Siski sections this year, the various community you County Museum has available copies of hisrories cannot be completely recorded. their many yearbooks, in their research However, sometime in the fucure, addi library rhar may be consulted. tional history on these places will be writ Many old-timers have been consulted, reo. For instance, additional information and some have furnished us with precious on Merrill will be added in next year's old pictures. Space does not permit thank Malin issue, and additional Keno history ing them individually, bur we do wish co will be added when the Topsy freight and stage history is published. thank them one and all, and can only hope they will approve of our publication. Many Transportation history 1n and through of their photos have been copied, placed Burte Valley, California has been added this year because much of K 1 a m a r h in our files and will be used in some furore Couoty"s early history is closely related ro issue of Klamath Echoes.

Editor.

viii. Klamath Echoes Staff

DEVERE HELFRICH Managing Ediror

HELEN HELFRICH Assistant

LESTER HUTCHINSON Sales Chairman

Officers KLAMATH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

PAUL ROBERTSON President

HEBER RADCLIFFE Vice President

PAULINE ELLIOTT Secretary· Treasurer

BOB ELLIOTT Programme Chairman

R. E. TEATER, BOB ELLIOTT, LESTER HUTCHINSON, and DEVERE HELFRICH Direcrors

KLAMATH ECHOES is published annually by the Klamath County Historical Society. Price $2.00. Address all communications to: Klamath Echoes, P. 0. Box 1552, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601.

THE COVER. Our cover was drawn by Stephanie Bonotto Hakanson, artist for all previous issues of the Ki4tm~Jh Echoes. Depicted is the old Van Brimmer fort, built over Willow Creek in eastern Siskiyou County, California. It is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, strucrure still in existence in the Kamath Basin. It is now located at the north west entrance to the Modoc Lava Beds National Monument south of Tule Lake.

ix. Table of Contents

Before Merrill ------Devere Helfrich ------1 Elkanah Whitney, A Pioneer in Klamath County ______Martha Ann (Whitney) Brandon __12

As Told to Me by John Colwell _____ Devere Helfrich ------13 J. Frank Adams ______Evea (Mrs. Bob) Adams ______15

The Adams Dredge ------Devere Helfrich ------21 ______27 "Tulie" Lake - Gale - Meuill ______De vere Helfrich Recollections ------Mrs. Jim (Juanita Ratliffe ) Stevenson_41 Sawmills of the Merrill Vicinity _ ___Dwere Helfrich ------43 Merrill Newspapers Devere Helfrich ______44 Keno and Vicinity ____ ·----Repritll ----·------47 History of Keno ------·------Klamath Herald (Jessie Puckeu) ____ 51 Keno ______--Reprint (Rachael Applegate Good) _ 54 Robert Whittle ___ Willard W. Wright ------56 As Told to Me by George Ager ------Devere Helfrich -·------58 As Told to Me by Mrs. George (Blanche) Ager ______Devere Helfrich - 59 Keno Post Office ------ Devere Helfrich _____60 Sawmills of the Keno Vicinity ·---LDevere Helfrich ------65 Early Recollections by Laura Nelson Burton -Heber Radcliffe ___ ---10 Chronological History of The Keno lliectrical Power Plants ------73 Worden, Ivan and Calor --·------Devere Helfrich -----73 As Told to Me by Em.ma Otey -----Devere Helfrich ------78

As Written to Me by Mrs. Gertrude Moore _Devere Helfrich ----- 79 As Written roMe by Ethel G. Owen -----Devere Helfrich ______80 As Written to Me by Elma Chapman Lewin Jones Dwere Helfrich ------81 Butte Valley and Vicinity ------Devere Helfrich 82 As Told to Me by Oyde Laird ------Dwere Helfrich ------89 As Told to Me by Ben. Fairchild ------Dwere Helfrich ----- 89 MERRILL IN THE 1905-1910 PERIOD LiYery Stable, Cllld Merrill Hotel on Main Street. The Mint Saloon, HoWiton Opera HoWle, Cllld a one-time post office location, during the term of George Wilaon, 1903-1906. -<:ourlesy Klamath County M useum Before Merrill • • • UIUIIIIIIUIIIIIJUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllllltlllllltlllllllllltllllUIIIIIJUIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIlllltiiiiiiiiiUUIIIIUIIIIIUIUIIIIUUIIIIIUlllltiiULIIIIIUUUIIIIIIUIIIUUIIIIIUIIIIIIUUIIIIIJIJIIIIIIIIUIII Compiled by DEVERE HELFRICH INTRODUCTION I. The Old Mill Stream. The history in thiJ year'J Klamath EchoeJ About 1877 Uncle George Nurse, begim with seven newJpaper clippings founder and owner of the townsite of /otmd in the old ]. Frank Adami scrap Linkville, induced W. C. Moore, a mill book in possesJion of MrJ. Bob (Evea) wright, who had come over from Salem to Adams. The author and newJpaper from build a grist mill at the Klamath reserva which they were taken i1 tmknown, aJ is tion agency, to give consideration to build the date of their prittting. However, /rom ing a sawmill on Link River. i11/ormatiott contait~ed in the Jevett article! Moore suffered from a common afflic and other pertinent /acts, it seems thai tion. He liked the idea, but had no money. Rrt/us S. Moore, pioneer reJident of Klam Nurse agreed to bear the expense of five ath Falls, was the writer, or the article~ or six hundred dollars. The mill-wright ·were written under his JuperviJion. The had brought his family to Ft. Klamath date wottld have been after 1921 or 1922, wth the exception of his son Rufus, who and before September, 1929, when ]. Frank came later. AdamJ was accidentally killed near Double Charles, another son, helped his father head Mormtain in Modoc County, Cali build a water power mill above town on /omia, and hiJ Jcrapbook no longer con the west side of the river. Down at Keno tinued, or at the latest, before Ru/tJJ Moore there had been a small mill run by Newton passed away November 6, I93L_Editor. Pratt, and later by Charles Withrow and

LINK RIVER Source of the first power and irrigation systems in the Klamath Basin. Martin Flour MiU in the bend of the river at the left with canal along hillside. Conger house and orchard a cross the river, with the Steele-Ankeny ditch along hillside in background. -Maude Baldwin photo 1. John Connolly. The Keno mill boasted rablished. a jig saw which if pushed would cut per Out of the Moore ditch with its pioneer haps 3,000 feet a day. saw and flour mills grew the West Side The first circular saw and planing mill Canal company, which, in 1891, Thomas was built and operated by the Moores. Martin, Charles Moore and Rufus Moore They sold lumber for fifty miles around. incorporated for $20,000. The following To furnish power and also to flume in the year the ditch was lengthened and enlarged. logs from the upper lake they built a In '94 the town was given its first elec ditch almost a thousand feet long, and tric lights with the organization of the this was the first ditch on the river. It Klamath Falls Light and Water company. was completed in '77. H. B. Gates owned fifty-one per cent of (Statement by Robert A. Emmitt, pio the stock and the rest was divided among neer of Klamath County in 1875 as told ro E. R. Reames and Olarles and Rufus Irene Foster of the Klamath County His Moore. .Ar the same time reservoirs were torical Society, January 6, 193 7: "The first built co provide water. One was located irrigation ditch construCted in Klamath back of the Hot Spring addition, another County is still in use in the Riverside near the Riverside school, and a third on community of Klamath Falls. The property a hill above che high school. All were owners bought the water right with the on the same level and connected so that land and to this day do not pay for irriga the supply from one pump sufficed. ting water. .A man named Thatcher was a By 1907 the two Moores had acquired pioneer of 1868. He became associated control of the first lighting plant, which with the old Linkville Brick Score in was loaued on the east side of Link River. 1877, selling out in 1881. His home at They proceeded to build a larger power one time was situated where the Link plant on the west side, site of the present River Motel is located, at the west end of unit owned by the California Oregon Link River bridge. .As further evidence, Power Company. the original 1874 Peter Britt photo of In the meantime, however, the reclama Linkville shows a flourishing crop of corn tion service bad entered the territory and and possibly potatoes at this same location. taken over the old Moore canal, which On the ocher hand, strong evidence eben became known as the Keno canal. It points to the fact that George N urse in was agreed that together with a few minor 1868, with Joe Conger his employee or considerations, the Moore plane and M.a.rtin partner, planted a garden and set out fruit mill were co have 205 second feet of water trees, which later became f2mous as the delivered to them. Conger orchard. This was on the opposite When Copco came along Martin's old or east side of Link River from the That rights on the Moore ditch became more cher property. There can be little doubt valuable. Ic was agreed that he could have, that some son of irrigation system was in in lieu of his water rights, the right to stalled for this Nurse-Conger enterprise 22~ horsepower in electricity, perpetually. that preceeded the later, 1877, Linkville This old right to water from the Moore Water ditch that still later became the ditch, acquired back in '84 is still enjoyed Steele-Ankeny ditch. It would seem to by Martin Bros.' mill. The mill can run a this writer that this Nurse-Conaer ditch 22~ horsepower motor 24 hours a day may have been the first.-F.diror.) at the expense of Copco. Many more horse Seven ye-ars Iacer Thomas Mania, a power are now used by the mill, of course, miller, came over from the Rogue River but the old right still has its value. When and was given a piece of ground and the the Oregon public service co1Dllli56ion right to use water our of the Moore ditch entered into control of corporation affairs for the purpose of operating a flour mill. ir made the ruling that no '"free" power So, in '84 the pioneer flour mill was es- was to be given anyone. The power com- 2. THE STEELE DITCH Later known o.a the Ankeny Canal, which furnished the first water into the Klamath Baain. aouthweat of Klamath Falla. -Maude Baldwin" photo

pany was instructed to buy the Marcin Steele had of course, stopped over for brothers' power rights. The millers set a time in Wisconsin. As a young fellow the price at $10,000. The service commis he worked in rhe copper mines. Also, like sion would nor permit the power company many other young fellows, he came West, to pay that much, so the power is still traveling by ox team. When he arrived at furnished free. Reno it was still known as Truckee Mead Rufus Moore, still an active figure in ows, in fact it wasn't anything. There was Klamath's affairs, is authority for this no railroad when Steele arrived in '64. series of historical facts. Like ]. Frank The ranch and stock business enticed Adams, it wa.~ up co Rufus Moore to learn Steele. In twenty years of hard work he rhe practical end of surveying. It seems had become prosperous. He ranged cattle thar many of the old rimers would have on Pyramid Lake in partnership with Dick been out of luck if they had nOt known Fuson. Along about '83 he got the idea how to run a line for themselves. that the range was becoming over-crowded, and he set out to look for more. II. Afraid of Water. The Klamath country looked good to When William Steele, a tall, spare him. But be did not approve of the individual, arrived in the great Klamth methods then followed by the stockmen. country from Ireland, via Wisconsin and They made little or no winter provision for Reno, farmers already on the ground took feeding range cattle. Some rule hay was fright and moved into the foothills, Steele cut, enough for stock about the ranches. brought some ideas with him, ideas that Steele predicted dire disaster would over the farmers believed would prove their cake the Klamath stockmen during a hard ruination. winter. He believed that alfalfa should be 3. grown during the summer months. Al by]. T. Henley, a mining man from Cortes, falfa required water. N evada. Sceeele's plans met with opposition from Sreeele could not reconcile himself to the outset. In '78 a number of citizens the lack of shade trees in the Klamath had incorporated the Linkville Ditch Com country. He was the pioneer of the move pany, and dug a small ditch heading in ment to plant uees that the Rotarians and Link River about cwo miles above the the Klamath Falls Chamber of Commerce town. This ditch had a capacity of forry are extending at this late date. miners inches. The water it carried was He had been in touch with a nurseryman used to grow vegetables on town lots. named Conners at Reno. Conners had uees Steele cook over this ditch. at Adin, Calif., and cold Steele he could get He gave each member of the old com cuttings there whenever he wanted them. pany a cerr.ificate of one miner's inch 6f Steele sent Wilson, his son-in-law, who was water, amounting in all co forry inches, for enthusiastic about the idea, after them. the privilege of enlarging the old ditch. It is recalled by Mrs. Frank Ward, that Then he set about the work of enlarging Wilson left the home ranch in an "Oregon and extending the baby project-Klamath's hack," as the light spring wagons used by first. It was here opposition manifested rhe ranchers to roam at will over the rough itself, and in several instances condemna counuy were popluarly known. He gol tion proceedings were used to get through as far as the ranch of ]. Frank Adams and propercy of irate ranchers. there borrowed a breaking cart, with which Steele began the work in '84. The win co complete the trip. ter was a very mild one, and only half a After several days he returned home with day's work was lose because of snow. The four sacks of cuttings about finger size. ditch' was extended for fifteen miles into These cuttings had cwo buds each. One the Klamath valley. Farmers who believed bud was rubbed off and the cuttings planted they were sure to be ruined by water moved to the south of the house on the Wilson out of the valley into the foothills. The Steele ranch. Charles Drew is now located work cost Steele close co $20,000, a for on the Wilson ranch, which was for a rune in those days. time known as the Kilgore ranch. The Steele ditch wound southeasterly The cuttings soon took on a bright along the foot hills for eight miles to a green aspect. Neighbors mistook them for point where it divided inro cwo branches. beans and passed compliments on the fine The main branch running southward for crop. It was our of that "bean" nursery seven miles along a narural divide between that plantings came for the miles of fine, Klamath and Lost Rivers, controlling some beautiful South Carolina or English pop of the best lands in Klamath Valley. The lars. Wilson set our the mile of trees along east branch continued toward Olene for a the Wilson lane up to the Wilson bridge- short distance. It puc about 4,000 acres now arboreal monumentS to his memory. under water and commanded about 16,000 J. Frank Adams planted out a timber cul acres. ure from them, and other farmers grew The first extended irrigation system splendid shade trees from the Wilson was nor the only monument Steele left nurser)•. behind him for posterity to enjoy after Steele, indomnitable Scotch-Irishman that his death in '88. he was, and a rypical figure of the He bad three daughters. One, Fannie, west, seems nor to have ruined the country. became the wife of J. Frank Adams, a Rather, with his money and the remaining dashing rancher and cowboy. Another, years of his life be left behind t.he stamp Minnie E. was married to G. W. Wilson, of progress, and made for the increased and later became the wife of Frank Ward. prosperity of the community. He gave far The third, Sophie S., was wooed and won more than be rook. He brought money and 4. trees from the Reno country with him, Van Brimmers. No reclamation engineers and planted both here. had entered the country-there was not so His ditch later, in '88, was incorporated much as a surveyor to be had locally. under the name '"The Klamath Falls Irriga Howard ran a preliminary survey on the tion Company." Henry Ankeny having west side of Lost River, with intended secured a one-third interest. When the head take on the river, but goc nowhere reclamation service entered the terrirory with it. chis canal occupied a stragetic position. Howard's bill was $240. The plan to It was found practically impossible for irrigate had been generally discussed and the government to tap the Upper Klamath was no secret. Everyone within reach of Lake without dealing with the Ankeny the ditches was co have profited by water Henley "'people," who were then in con if water was obtainable. The Van Brim trol. Litigation was acrually commenced mers asked settlers for contributions. before the company agreed to accept "What for?" was the response, "If we $150,000 in 1905, for the ditch built by wam to hire a surveyor we'll hire him our Steele. selves." Community spirit was at irs low Pressure was brought by the farmers as esc flight on the Klamath. The Van Brim well as the government ro effect this deal. mers swallowed hard, but they paid the And there are farmers today who are wish $240. ing the government had effectually been They hired no more surveyors, but went kept out. to work with a carpenter's spirit level and Ill. The Van Brimmer Ditch straight edge held on a tripod. This was made co serve their purpose. When the Van Brimmer bronhers, Dan, Adams and the Van Brimmers had an Clint and Ben, came over to Lost River, idea that the "little" Klamam, as old-timers they made their home for a time with J. called Lower Klamath Lake, was higher Frank Adams. He was famed for his hos than Tule Lake. There appeared to be no pitality and until the Van Brimmers could pracricable opportunity to get wacer ouc get settled he gladly made them welcome. of the river, because of the lack of fall The Van Brimmers had enjoyed some of and impassable ridges. If it should prove the fruits of irrigation. The talk, most of to be the case chat Lower Klamath Lake the day and far inro the night, was irriga was higher than Tule Lake, the rest would tion. Adams soon became an enthusiast. be comparatively easy. Summers on the Klamath are warm and It was a momentuous discovery co the dry, but the precipitation, averaging 10 to Van Brimmers when such proved co be 12 inches, is light. Few crops could be the case. Adams was the only one taken in raised for a certainty without water. Grain, to their confidence. The findings with the alfalfa and the hardier vegetables could be spirit level were almost unbelieveable. A grown to abundance with water. difference of 28 feet berween the elevation Adams relates that his sleeping and of Lower Klamath and Tule Lakes. waking dreams were of a great country full Very quietly Adams and the Van Brim of fruitful small farms replacing the great mers set out to secure filings on every piece rough country then covered with sage of land they could find vacant, particularly brush. such traCtS as would prove strategical for The Van Brimmers made good mates ditch building right of ways. for Adams. They had the money, but And there was plenty of vacant public Adams made up the difference with his land in those days. untiring initiative and knowledge of the Adams filed on the ease side of Lost country. River and the Van Brimmers filed on the "Old Man" Howard was brought in from west side. It was several months before Jacksonville ro do some surveying by the they were ready to show their hands. 5. IV. Scrapers, What For? It is interesting to note here that there It was the summer of '82 when the Van is a diversity of opinion as to just who Brimmers were ready to proceed with the built the first irrigation project of any con· work of constructing their irrigation pro· sequence on the Klamath. Mrs. Frank jecc. They had ordered scrapers and other Ward, daughter of James Steele, claims that supplies and Albert Whitney and Tom her father had the first projecL She sup Weedon were sent with teams to Redding ports her claim by substantiating recollec to freight them into the Klamath. tions, and her claim is fully suppol"ted by Whitney was one of Adams' hired men. the official record. He had been offered $500 of the Van But Adams, brother-in-law of Mrs. Ward, Brimmers' money by Adams in order that begins a friendly family argumenc, with he might file on a traer of land for himself, the statement that the Van Brimmers got but had refused. So closely had the secret started on their project before Steele c.ame of the difference in elevation of Lower ino the counrry. He says that his deed Klamath and Tule Lakes been guarded by taking over the Bybee holdings at the Adams and the Van Brimmers that Whit· time he and the Van Brimmers were ney knew nOthing about it when he arrived annexing a goodly share of the great Klam at Redding after the ditch building supplies. ath country, clearly proves the Van Brim It was the difference in elevat.ion that made mers co have been t:he pioneers. their plan feasible. As near as the humble compiler of He looked over the unusual pile of these records can get at the facts from freight. various sources, both contentions are "What's them?" he asked the freight reasonably accurate. The Van Brimmers agent. began their work in 1882, but did not "Scrapers." he was told. have it completed until 1886. Steele "Scrapers! Hell-what for? We don't pushed his projeCt to completion in 1884- want no scrapers up our way," he ejaculated. 85, and must continue co be honored as And it was only after considerable per· having the first ditch. suasion that he loaded the slip scrapers While the Van Brimmers were going quite contrary to his own best judgment. a.head with their work Adams had also He couldn't understand why a lor of scrap· begun operations. He had acquired a ers should be shipped into a cow country. surveyor's level and tripod, learned the It was before the day of the Fresno cype of rudiments of handling it, and run his scraper that is now generally used. own ditch lines. He completed a small canal When those scrapers were delivered six miles long from Lost River to Adams and the work of construction acrually com point, with t:he assistance of neighbors, menced other settlers who had been kept chief among whom was "Ban" Crawford. in ignorance of the deal, were greatly in The water for this canal came from censed. Fires of rancor were kindled that White Lake through the Van Brimmers' smouldered for a long time, and which canal, and was delivered on the west bank still burst into occasional flame. of Lost River. This was in accordance The Van Brimmers went ahead with with an agreement between Adams and the the work. They built a small ditch, as Van Brimmers, which c.alled for delivery ditches go today, to supply water for about of 5,000 inches of water for $5,000. The 4,000 acres of land adjacent to the Cali· water was carried across the river by flume. fornia-Oregon line berween Klamath and But Adams had wished a lot of trouble Tule Lakes. It was four years before the on himself. ditch was finally completed and the water V. Dry Year Troubles. supplied for irrigation, according to the It is related as an interesting fact that one official history of Klamath irrigation the Van Brimmers, when they cut about projects. a mile through a hill dividing Lower Klam- 6. arb Lake from che Klamach Valley, in con and the ocher farmers couldn't see rhe structing their canal, wich head in Wrute sense of chat. Adams felt that once he Lake, uneanhed what was believed tO have lost concrol chat chaos would result in che been a very ancient burial ground. management. These pioneers were not interested in Ir was up to him to get water on the what a geologist would have gloated over. land- and he did. He learned chat rules J. Frank Adams did, however, preserve had been removed on a drainage under one specimen-the ankle bone of a horse, taking in California by the use of China petrified, and dug out rwenry feet below men with hayknives. The coolie labor was che surface. W arer was what the early about all procurable in those days for hard ditch builders wanted, nor bones. work of that kind. But the Chinese did not Was a rime on the Klamach, some thou want to come to Klamath. sands of years since, when che rbree-toed Adams set out to cut a canal with such horse galloped over the plains of central help as was to be had in the country. It Oregon and the great Klamach country. was frightfully hard work. He relates While Adams does nor profess to believe that Dan Van Brimmer came over to see chat his petrified bone belonged to a tripple how it was getting along. Adams mis toed graniuiverous quadruped, be would chievously forced a hay-knife deep into like to see geologists uncover the burial the rule mass and cold Dan to try ic. Dan ground that only made the teamsters with could not budge the knife. cheir slip scrapers cuss when they ran into Yet it was through that kind of rule it. formation that Adams set out to cut a chan What kept the pioneer ditch builders nel rhree and one-half miles long and 24 guessing was a bone dry year they encount feet wide through from White to Lower ered. An unusually light rainfall in rhe Lake. winter of '87 -'88 lowered the water level The rules were cut in blocks and lifted of White Lake and left the Adams and our with a derrick. Van Brimmer's main canal high and dry. Men on the job thought Adams was The ditch builders had believed there crazy. They did as little work as possible would be sufficient seepage through the and demanded their pay ferquently, for ancient mass of rules lying berween Lower che reason that thy did not think he would Klamath and White Lakes to provide water. have the money when the job was com Adams had a level which showed him pleted. Also, they wanted a contract. rha

THE MARTIN BROS. FLOUR MILL Firat building in MerrilL Men on horaebCldr.. Fred Liakey, left. and unknown. -courtesy Guy Merrill was a long ways from being stopped. Also, difference between Van Brimmer and the he wanted that Keno mill. other residents of che disrrict was chat Van One morning he started out with some Brimmer was known always to have some paper and a pencil. He went first to Dan cash on hand. Van Brimmer, a big stockman, and also Adams secured Dan Van Brimmer's signa. owner of an irrigation project. The chief rure for a $300 subscription toward build· 10. ing a flour mill. Everyone was willing that now we'll only lose out," he warned them. Martin, the Klamath Falls miller, be shown Further pressure was brought to bear to a few things. make Adams consent to abandon the plan. Dan Van Brimmer's name at the top of Teams continued to haul timbers. Even the list was magic. Five additional signa Merrill came to Adams and endeavored to cures for $300 were secured. These heavy win him to the idea that the farmers had subscribers were Adams, Merrill, W. C. better let Martin build the flour milL "Ban" Crawford, Clint Van Brimmer and Merrill and Martin had gotten their Henry Anderson. The figure was based on heads together. Merrill was to give Martin what it would cost them in time and money seven acres of the 160 acre uact he had to haul their wheat to town. There were obligated himself

ELKANAH WHITNEY, A Pioneer in Klamath County ... mllllllllf1111flllltlllllltlllltiiiii11UIItUIIItiiiUJUUUW:UIUIJltliiiiUUIIIIIUJfiiiiiiiiiUIIIII1UUIIIIIUUIIIIUUIIItNWIIIIIIIUUtiHittUIItHilttiUttUIIUitHt1UflflllllllfllltHIIIIIJUIIIIIU11HJUI111 By MARTHA ANN (WHITNEY) BRANDON, 1965 Elkanab Whitney homesteaded on Lost along the south border of the 160 acres. River, one mile from the mouth of the river The shipping station of Malone is on the which ran into TuleLake. He built his log northwest corner of the 160 acres. From cabin during the summer of 1871 on rus there, due south to the river is the western homestead. (The History of Central Ore line of the 160 acres. gon, page 1041, agrees that the Whitney Elkanab Whitney went back to Cottage family came to the Klamath country in Grove and spent the winter at home, near 1871, but states that they settled in Link his parents, the William Whimeys and ville, living there for two years before Daniel Whites, parents of his wife, Mary settling in the Lost River country. The hill A., who crossed the plains in covered wag north of Main and west of Ninth Streets in ons in the early 1850's. Klamath Falls was called Mr. Whitney by Early in the spring of 1872, they packed the old timers. If Whitney built a cabin in into their covered wagon and starred for 1871, one wonders why historians of the the Klamath country. The Whitneys at Modoc War have never mentioned its that time bad three boys, and were expect existance. But, for that matter, why hasn't ing another child. Trus child was born at mention also been made of Monroe's the Hot Spring in Linkville where they cabin on the opposite or south side of Lost camped. An Indian woman took care of River? ..•. Edicor). He went to Lakeview to the mamma and the baby at that time. The file his homestead which was located on baby girl was my oldest sister, Caroline, Lost River near the natural bridge which who was born July 18, 1872. She was the was at the southwest corner of the 160 first white child born in that area. acres. (Lake County was created October I must tell you about the first school 24, 1874, with Linkville as county seat. building in the Tule Lake, Oregon area. Lakeview did not become the county seat It was on the northwest corner of my until january 7, 1876. Whitney probably father's homestead, the Malone Station. It proved up on his homestead at Lakeview. was a log school house, built by the fathers ___Editor ). Lost River meandered east of that valley. These fathers were Dan 12. Colwell, Tom Weedon, Edwin Elvey, and river, and Ben Van Brimmer lived in my father, Elkanah Whitney. I spent my Linkville. first three years at this school, from 1886 It was at this time, 1872, that Mr. Boddy, ro 1890. and Mr. Schirra were killed by the Indians. My first school teacher was Martha They lived in the area of Malin, and had Ca-rdwelL of Sams Valley, who had been gone co the woods for winter wood with educated in the Academy in Jacksonville, the running gear of their wagon. When Oregon. Martha was ]. Frank Adam's night came, •the horses came back with the second wife. bodies of the rwo men, Mr. Boddy, and Mr. Schirra tied to the running gear. They The first winter the Whitneys spent on had been scalped. They are buried in the their homestead, was 1872 co 1873, rhe Jacksonville Cemetery. Later Mrs. Schirra, rime of the Modoc Indian War. They Kate, married Rube Harton of Linkville, were warned by an Indian on horseback co and had three children, Chester, Louise, sray inside and make no smoke or noise of and Ruby. (Before marrying Hatton, Mrs. any kind that might have shown that Schirra had married George Nurse, May someone was there. The Indian woman was 12, 1875, and was divorced March 28, a friend of the family. All the Indians 18 77 _Editor). Mrs. Boddy married Mike were. Harcery and is buried in Jacksonville also. The Van Brimmers, whose block house Mr. Harrery went to Hayward, California was on Willow Creek, Siskiyou County, and is buried there. were neighbors of the Whitneys. Dan Van My husband was Frank S. Brandon. He Brimmer's homestead was across Lost River was a miller and learned his trade from Mr. ar the ford, or natural bridge from roy Tom Martin in the Ashland and Eagle father's homestead. Clint Van Brimmer's Point mills. Mr. Martin and he built the homestead joined Dan's place west on the flour mill at Merrills. As Told to Me by John Colwell . . . IIIIIIIUIIIIIIIUIIIIIIHUIIIIUUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllliiiiUIUIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIItiiiiiiiiiiiiiiUIIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIIJIIIIIIIIllllllllUIIIIIILIIUIUIIIIIIIIIIliU April12, 1953- Recorded by DEVERE HELFRICH John Colwell was contacted at Merrill and readily agreed to rake a trip, pointing our his old home and various other early day historical sires. We went east from Merrill along the Malia Highway and turned south along the Lava Ikd Road. At a point one-fourth mile south of the highway, Mr. Colwell pointed to a spot on the east side of the road where a cross fence runs east and west. "The first school sat right there, ir was a log school house and the settlers built it. The Stukels, Colwells and any other settler's kids in the neighborhood went there. It was my first school. I started there as soon as it was built, the first year. I must have been seven or eight years old. We lived in JOHN COLWELL the old log cabin then. There was never -courtesy Ruth King any post office at the cross roads. The first 13. post office was called Tule Lake. It was at of the river. Whitney's house, right over there by Lost "Of course I never saw any of this as River. I wasn't born until October 11, 1873, so "Abe Ball and his brothers, they were I only remember what my father cold me. about father's age, had a horse ranch at the Dennis Crawley had a place across Lost old ford, where Ivan Kandra lives now. River and about a quarter of a mile down Horse corrals and alJ, right there where the scream from our cabin. I remember hearing building sees now. (Northwest of the D. A. about Charlie Monroe, his place was near R. marker at the Stone Bridge_ Editor. ) the ford across the river, about a quarter of "Whitney bad a roll bridge there once, a mile from it." right where the present bridge is, until it We next turned into the Malin road, was washed out by high water. I remember passed the later day Adams ranch home and it floating down Lost River. Wheaton had continued on pa.horse camp eled east to the Malin-Tule Lake JUnction and buckaroos there. Boddy's lived over about one-bali mile. there to the northeast, bur che high wacers "When my father came to this country drove them our and they built over there before the Modoc War, he leased a lot of ( rhe sire of old Harterey Ranch ). Mrs. swamp land all along here from the owners Boddy married Mike Hartery. That's Bloody in Jacksonville. He had a partner, William Gulch back there, where Boddy was killed. S. "Dad" Bybee. Father built a log cabin ( Three-fourths of a mile northwest from right where the canal run5, at the end of the the Harrery ranch buildings .. Editor). lane on the east side, right there by that Returning ro Merrill, Mr. Colwell point fartherest poplar tree to the right. ed to a green patch on the south slope of "After Bybee and my father dissolved one of Stukel Mountain's off-shoot ridges. partnership, we took the land on the south "That's where Applegate Springs are, side of Lost River, and Bybee rook the land up there in that draw. They dried up years on rhe north side, where I was born in the ago and I don't know whether they ever old log cabin. came back or nor. I'm getting forgerful. "When Captain Jackson went to Jack's I would have remembered lou more if camp and the war starred, the Indians on I'd ser ir down years ago. lr's been good the same side as father's cabin, scarred to get our. I've had the flu and haven't across to help, but the seeders at the cabin been able to ger out lately. didn't ler them. I don't remember ever "One of the Van Brimmers had a ranch on the south side of Lost River ar the naru seeing any buller holes in the old cabin. ral bridge. Bloody Point is where the old The Indians all disappeared into the ruJies emigrant uail came over the rim back of and made their way down the lake to the the Meyers place. You know where the old lava beds, but that night some of them Modoc County road came down the hill, sneaked back and burned a small srack of well the old emigrant road came in right at grass hay my father had on the other side the foot of the hill." 14. ------

J. Frank Adams • • UIIIIIUI1111IIIIIUIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIII1llllllllllfiiii11TIIIII11111UIIIUIUIII111111IfllllllllttllllllllttlllllllltiUIIIIIIIIIIIIfiiiiiiUUIIIIIIIIIII111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111UJUUUIUUUIIII From an Unpublished Work by EVEA (MRS. BOB) ADAMS dredger. Later he became manager of the Lakeside Commpany which had as its purpose the colonization of the Malin sec cion, a well known successful e.nrerprise. His efforts in founding the cown of Mer rill are well known ro the older people of chat section. Those who helped him build this part of the country knew him as a devoted personal friend and a srrong lead er who did not know the meaning of the word quit. It is not so simple to cry and cake apart the life of ]. Frank Adams to see what made him tick. All kinds of legends seem to spring up abour men like him and Tony Beaver and Fino McCool. It was generally claimed by local folks, and indeed, he said so himself, that be could ride any horse in the world. Bur I heard an old cowpuncher tell of Frank Adams riding a bad horse while rolling a cigarette with one band. Now, as a matter of fact, Frank Adams never used tobacco in any form. Tobacco was one of his few abhorrences and he gave lickings to his sons Willie, Frankie, and Robbie for smoking or chewing. Other people said chat Frank Adams was such a good man chat he never smoked, drank, swore, or had any of rhe so-called faults of the common man. It is rrue that he didn't smoke or drink, but he had an array of J. FBANK ADAMS cuss words marvelous to hear, although I - courtesy Mrs. Evea Adams might say that be used them only when It is comparatively easy to look upon the necessary. His table and family house con records and copy from them that ]. Frank versation was free from profanity, and his Adams, with the aid of money borrowed English was singularly pure for one who from the Van Brimmer brothers, began one had had only four or five years of formal of the first farm irrigation projects scarred schooling. Some people said that Frank in Klamath County. On his own initiative Adams died old, broke, and discouraged. he built a canal eighteen miles long with But there was something in Mr. Adams' its head on Little Klamath, together with characcer that kept him from knowing how laterals co bring the water to and serve to be old or broke or discouraged. All he 10,000 acres of land on the Lost River knew or could do was ro go ahead, and he side. He owned and operated chis system had co be killed to stop him. That last day until 1904, when he sold ir to the govern he rode hard gathering his horses out on ment for 100,000 dollars. In 1903 he the Doublehead range, that di!y in Septem brought ioro Klamath County the first ber, 1929, when his horse fell with him 15. J. FRANK ADAMS On the porch of hi1 home near Adams Point, east of Merrill. Others unidentified. -Maude Baldwin photo and caused his death. When he died he cectiog co the young and weak? had in one shirt pocket a roll of about two lc seems trite to say that Frank Adams hundred dollars in bills, and a string of was born on such and such a date, but he safety pins which he collected and kept for was, and it was March 3, 1855, in the dressing his little grandaughter, of whom senlemenc wruch is now Placerville, Cali he insisted on caking full care when he fornia, then called Haogcown. He was a could be at home. In the ocher shirt pocket weak baby, coo, and couldn't cake milk he had two love letters of recent date, one from his mother, who lay there suffering from a young girl in Green River, Wyo badly caked breasts. Breast pumps were as ming, who bad worked for him; and the scarce as doctors in that early community other from an elderly lady in Miami, Flori and the women wondered what co do. da, who had read about him in some ac Finally one old woman thought of a bull count of pioneer days and "contemplated pup she had put into a box unci! she could matrimony with someone like you." Surely gee rime to take it out and drown it. She it can be said once and for all that Frank brought the pup, put him co one breast Adams was never old, broke, or discouraged. and Frank Adams co the other. The pup But none of this explains what made this began to suck and so did the boy, until mao grow so big and scrong that he was the the mother was relieved and could go to champion foot racer and wrestler of this sleep. Maybe it could be said chat right section in early days and was said co have chen Frank Adams began taking character been wholly without fear of men, horses, or events. What was in that head that from his foster brother who grew along made him so sure of himself, master of all with him and became his companion, be about him, and withal, so gentle and pro- cause to the last day of his life Frank Adams 16. was as strong willed and tenacious as any to a homesteader·s cabin where they found bull dog. the family all down wi·th the flu. One child ·Frank was the eldest of three sons born was dead in the bed and no one had srrength the Sarah Hoag Adams and George Adams. co move or bury him. The rwo cowboys After a few years the family moved co hastened t9 build fires and get hot water Sacramento, where the father did some and food for those living while they tried freighting, bur provided very poorly for to figure out how ro bury the dead boy. the family. Frank sold papers, ran errands, They rook boards from the leanto woodshed and did anything he could to bring in to make him a coffin. After they had him money. By the time he was fourteen he laid in it the mother wasn't willing to was driving a lumber wagon and loading have the child buried without a funeral green lumber, by hand, as it was done in sermon. Now it was forry miles to Yreka those days, like any grown man. One day, and through impassable drifts to the nearest when Frank was at work, the father hitched preacher. up his freight team, drove away to parts un Out in the woodshed the cowboys talked. known and has never been heard of to this 'Til have to preach that sermon," said day. As soon as he could procure a horse Frank. and gee ready, Frank scarred our after his Crowley, a devout Catholic, was used to father ro make him come back. Unable Frank doing whatever came up to do, but to find him, Frank had ro get a job so he chis rime he just knew he couldn't do it. could make money ro send back to his "Why, Frank," he said, "you can't preach mother. He went ro work driving srage a funeral sermon; you don't know anythin' from Redding to Ashland by way of Yreka, about religion." and also over the Scocr Valley run. His Bur Frank did preach it. He read a chap partner in this venture was the late George ter from the family Bible, said a few words Chase of Yreka. Together they handled of comfort co the family, and ended with wild horses and rwice drove through the rhe Lord·s prayyer. The woman was satis shours and shots of holdup men who were fied rhen and ler them bury the boy. plentiful then and plenty bad. This way of handling a situation was Afrer a year or so of the stage driving rypical of Frank Adams. Life seemed sim Frank met Charley Crowley with whom he ple co him, I believe. To him it was just made a partnership, and the rwo young one thing after another to do and he rook fellows decided co seek their fortunes in them as they came. If a man or horse had the horse and carrie country farther north. a swelling, he whetted up his knife and The)' rode inro the Bucre Creek country opened ir. If a man had a broken bone he and wenc to work for Docen and Fairchild set it; and at least once he delivered a hu breaking horses for the American soldiers man baby in his horse camp, co a destitute co use in the Modoc War. This was some family who came along, and mother and time in 1872; Adams was then seveoreen child borh did fine, without benefic of even years old and Crowley sixteen. Bur boys a white rag to wrap rhe baby in. When were men in those days, it seems. there was doaoring co do and no doctor Mr. Crowley cold me that Frank Adams available, be jusr did it as be had done the was considered by his associates even then preaching. He was nor unmindful of book to be a mature man and commanded the learning and bought and studied books on respect of people where ever he went. He veterinary science. Ar one time in his life had a way of meeting any problem that he needed a surveyor, when there were no came up, and after dealing with it without surveyors in this country, so be bought him any unnecessary fuss, going on calmly co self an outfit and some books and made the next one. Mr. Crowley said that he and himself a surveyor. When he needed to Frank were riding through deep snow in write a great many letters, he bought a the Butte Creek country, when they came typewriter and a large Webster's Diction- 17. ..__

Horaea of J, Frank Adams at the Altamont Ranch. aoutheaat of Klamath Falla.

J, FRANK ADAMS AND TWO OF HIS BROOD MARES -Maude Baldwin photo

J, FRANK ADAMS' NEWLY ARRIVED REGISTERED BULLS IN 1918 At aile of the later Armory or present new location of the Klamath County Museum, Spring and Main in Klamath FaU.. 18. Left to right: Levi Wood, -····-J Ira McCall, ------· - Maude Baldwin photo ary. He wore tha·t rypewriter smooth loved the members of his family dearly. mouthed, while at the time he died the He believed in feeding his children pro dicrionary had been reduced to shreds; its digiously and letting them grow naturally very bones were gone. Mr. Adams' sryle of for the most part. He was married in Jeerer writing was strong, interesting and 1888 to Fanny Steele, by whom he had charming. He was a public speaker of abil William Walter Adams, J. Frank Adams, ity and spoke when the occasion demanded Jr., and Robert Steele Adams. Fanny without previous thought or preparation. Adams died in 1900. In 1902, Mr. Adams He was always gentle and complimentary married Martha Cardwell, by whom he to women. He admired mostly women had J. Marrin Adams. His second wife with large families of children, long hair, died in 1917. There are at present four and especially the ones who were real fat. grandchildren, Roberr Steele Adams, Jr., He did not like co see a poor cow, a poor Fanny Steele Adams, Sharon Lynn Adams, horse, or a skinny woman. and Sandra Jean Adams. He studied blood lines in horses and The more I ponder on the events of the cattle, and believed su:ongJy in the forces life of Frank Adams and on his words of heredity in people and livestock. I be both written and remembered, the more lieve his knowledge of that science led him it seems as if his family were a sort of to be even more indulgent with those side line. After he got the corrals built, he around him. He was instrumental in im said he thought he ought to build a house, porting registered Percherons from France so he did. After chat he said he thought for use in Klamath County. From Cali he ought to have a family, so he courted fornia he brought thoroughbred s·tallions and won Miss Fanny Steele. and also '"California Promotion Boy," the first registered Holstein bull in southern Strong forces went to make rlW man. First he must have had something co start Klamath County. with our of those dim realms of heredity. Mr. Adams' letter, enclosed, tells how he Add to that the urge of poverty and re felt coward Klamath County and people sponsibility from earliest years, the hard better than I can. I have not told much about Mr. Adams' family, probably be pioneer times which made for the survival cause he seemed to be more of a public of the fittest, and we have ]. Frank Adams. charaCter than a family man, although he He was a scour fellow, he did a powerful 19. sight of work, and he died with his boors then, but horses and cattle. I even hauled on, literally and figuratively. m}' potatoes and hogs, and coda}' I do not Excerpt from a letter written by ). Frank think there is a place on the coast, and few Adams ro rhe editor of the Merrill Record, places in the world, where they can beat and printed in char paper, January 21, us for potatoes. I have raised 480 bushels 1915: of potatoes te the acre on my place. I Dear Editor-Having noticed chat a know this, as I measured the ground and good many of our neighbors have written ro stood by while they dug and weighed them. you ceiling why dley came to Klamath And hogs do as well here as any place in County, I thought perhaps you would like che world, and I think they can be raised to hear from me. as cheaply. We do nor know what it is to I did not come to Klamath County; it have a sick hog, and other stock does quite came ro me, as I was here first. In facr, as well. Of course we do not have the open I was here before Klamath was cut off range we used ro have, but it is still pretty from Lake County and even before that, as good, which is free range. And everyt:hing I was here before Lake County was cut off poi nrs for us ro raise more feed here than from Jackson County, and some before that, we have ever had. All it needs is for us as I was a cowboy for seven years before to sub-divide, and have more people ro do I settled where I am now in Klamath. We the work and share in the profit.s. From did not think much about counties then, as the way they have been coming in for rhe all we were looking for was plenty of grass, past five years we will surely have them. and it was sure here in those days. After Sometimes I think it is nor the best for riding, as I have stated, on this range for me, as the more farms that open the less so long, I made up m}' mind that I would room I have for my stock. And then I cry for a stake, so I took cwo hundred mares look around and see the many happy homes on shares. After getting the mares I had char have been built here since I came, and to have corrals, so I thought I had better the good schools char we have, and decide take up a piece of land so I could build that ir pays me well ro give up the free on my own land. I did not want the land, grass. I welcome all who come and, when as I did not consider that worth anything, they get too thick for me, I will turn my except to have a place to build my corrals stock over to my boys, and turn them on and call my home. Later I changed my out where there is more free grass; but as opinion, and I took up every claim that I for me, why, I want to sray, as I am not was entitled to, and co tell you the truth, done. I still wanr to build up our country, I would be ashamed to tell you how much and I am a good worker. I think my past land that was; but it was aU due, so I rook record will bear me out in this statement. what was coming to me, and I have never Now since we have rhe government be been sorry of it, as it was one of the means hind us with the money and the ability to that finally made me the stake that I started bring out the possibilitis of irrigation to out to make our of the horses. I still have the fullest extent, why should I think of a good deal of land left, and some horses, going away from here? I do not think of and while it has taken me a long time to it for a moment. I do not hesitate to recom get what I have, I am not sorry that 1 am mend it to those who are looking for a in Klamath. I expect to stay here, as it place to make a home and, while land is looks much better to me now ·than when much higher now than when I first came I first came here, and I am really proud of here, ic is much easier to make a start, as the country. I believe it has a great future. the heavy part of the work is well under When we first came here we used to way, and for a man having a family it is haul all of our supplies from Shasta Valley, much better to pay the price chat land can over in Siskiyou County, California. We be bought for here than it was ro have it did not chink we could raise anything here given to them under the conditions that 20. prevailed when I first serried here. cultivation in the county. T he draining of On the bed of Tulelake there are 30,000 the lake will nor be tomorrow, but it is acres of as good homestead land as has ever sure to come, and this is one of the future been taken. This land corning up our of prospeccs of this country that does not the lake bed will be good land when under wane co be over looked by the party who cu!rivation and irrigation. From what I is looking for a future home. know of ir, I do not think there will be Hoping that this will not take up too a rock on the rract or a single acre of it much of your valuable space, I am yours that will not be as good as any now in very truly, J. Frank Adams

THE ADAMS DREDGE AT WORK ON THE LOST RIVE.R SLOUGH Note the three barges being towed, wood, cook-house and bunk-house.

The Adams Dredge • • IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUllllllllliiUIIJUIIIIIllllllllllllllllllllllfiUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIfllllllllllllllllllliJliiiiiiiUIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIfllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll By DEVERE HELFRICH As we have seen, irrigation along the irrigation system, the "Adams Ditch." This lower Lose River Valley co=enced in canal branched from the Van Brimmer 1882. At that time the Van Brimmer ditch about a mile southwest of Merrill, Brothers began construction of a canal continued northward about cwo miles and from White Lake to their lands lying south crossed Lost Rier in a wood flume eight of Lost River opposite the present rown of feet wide with a capacity of cwenry second Merrill. Their ditch was not completed feet. This enrerpise was incorporated that until 1886. same year with a capitalization of $9,000 D uring this latter year, 1886, ]. Frank and 4,500 shares of stock. Adams had Adams began the construCTion of his own made an agreement with the Van Bri=er 21. Brorhers to furnish 5,000 inches of water cary; S. T. Summers, Treasurer; W. P. through their system, to the west bank of Whitney, F. L. Pope and Thomas Marrin. Lose River. After crossing Lose River the After Organizing, they adjourned until canal ran eastward some six miles ro Adams May 9th, at which time they were ro meet Point, and watered lands on the north at Klamath Falls to inspect the point of side of Lost River. diversion, route, ere., of the proposed Then in 1888, White Lake became so canal. low because of an unusually dry winter and By September 28, 1902, the Republican the heavy use by the two then existing irri wrote: "We do nor hear, of lace, any fur gation systems, that 'the two canals were ther news in relation to the Merrill Mutual left "high and dry." Canal Company." Casting about for some means to supple However, all chis activity, new settlers ment or increase che water supply, Adams and a growing need to protect his own in hie upon che idea of cutting a channel terestS, The Little Klamath Ditch Company, through the rule beds from Lower Klamath must have literally "smoked our" Adams. Lake to White Lake by means of hay knives. Further, Adams undoubtedly was thorough This must have happened sometime around ly familiar with all the possibilities pertain 1889 or 1890. A certain amount of addi ing ro irrigation in the Lower Lost River tional water undoubtedly was secured, bur and Tule Lake vicinities. The next step, how much and exactly when is unknown. therefore was ro further supplement his However, it seems to have sufficed for che existing water supply. next ten years, or until about 1900. To do tbis he again turned co Lower By that rime irrigation in the Klamath Kl amath Lake and the •rule cur. First, he country had evidently proven it's worth evidently thought of hiring a channel dug to the extent that more water and better by che McArthur Bros. of Fall River service became the main topic of basin Valley, in northern California. However, farmers this was soon abandoned and the following The Klamath Falls Republican of Febru agreemem emered into: ary 20, 1902 scares: "Irrigation from Klam "Fall River Mills, CaL, Dec. 27th, 1902. ath Falls to Tule Lake. The enterprise is This agreement made between A. McArthur inaugurated by the Tule Lake ranchers, and J. Frank Adams, Witnesseth that A. and N. S. Merrill, W . P. Whitney and McArthur has agreed co sell and J. Frank William Ball of that precinct were here Adams has agreed to buy a One Half inter yesterday ro prepare articles of incorpora esc in the dredging machinery and black cion, a copy of which was duly filed with smith tools with it (which McArthur is the County Clerk. Capital Stock is now using in Fall River Valley, Shasta Co. $150,000 ... The plan is to cap the main Calif. and which were inspected by Adams body of Upper Klamath Lake and make a few months ago) for the sum of Twenty a canal that will furnish enough water to Five Hundred Dollars and the further con irrigate 40,000 acres of land. This will sideration that said ]. Frank Adams shall require cutting through the hill novtheasc at bis own cost remove said machinery and of Klamath Falls and among other work, cools from the present barge in Fall River making a half-mile tunnel. It is thought it Valley to Lower Klamath Lake in Oregon will rake a year to complete the canal ..." and properly place it on a similar barge According to the Republican of May 1, which he shall construct at his own cost and 1902, the new company, with a filing of shall give McArthur free of all cost a one 30,000 inches on Upper Klamath Lake half interest in said barge and also in a waters, was called The Merrill Mutual cook house which he shall build. Said Canal Company. Its board of directors in above men-tioned $2,500 ro be paid accord cluded N. S. Merrill, President; Fred Mel ing ro the terms of two promissory notes, base, Vice-President; E. S. Phillips, Secre- one for $2,000 payable May 1st, 1903 ac 22. which time the said machinery is to be said machinery and tools free of charge delivered and the one for $500 to be paid until May 1st, 1903, and that in case said upon the completion of a canal by ]. machinery and tools should be destroyed Frank Adams with said dredge thirty feet by fire or orberwise prior ro May 1st, 1903 wide, four feet deep and about three and the above mentioned ... (The balance of one half miles long running from Lower this legal gObble-de-gook left out. The Klamath Lake to the upper headgate of the following paragraph was written on the Little Klamath ditch. It is ful'ther agreed back of the agreement. Editor) that said ditch shall be constructed by "In consideration of one dollar I hereby Adams at his own expense, within a reason transfer to Alex Marcin, Jr., all my interest able time after May 1st, 1903, and that in the within agreement and the property Adams shall have the free use of the dred described therein this January 25th, 1904. ger while cutting it and after its comple G. McArthur." tion McArthur shall own free of aU cost (All previous writers have recorded that a one half interest in the barge, machinery, Adams paid $5,000. If so, be must not tools, cook house, etc., connected with the have paid the second $2,500 until after dredger. McArthur agrees to board Adams' January 25th, 1904 and then to Alex Mar· men free of charge while they are getting cin, Jr._Eclitot) the machinery off che present barge and ]. Frank Adams sene a letter to the also to feed his teams during that time Republican which was printed February 5, free of charge and to deliver said machinery 1903, in which he discussed his irrigation in as good working order as it was when project. "I send you a picture of my flume inspected by Adams some months ago, across Lost River. It is 540 feet long, 32 reasonable wear excepted. It is further feet wide and 3 feet deep, on a grade of agreed that McArthur has the right to use seven-tenths of a foot to the mile. The

J, FRANK ADAMS' NEW nUME ACROSS LOST RIVER Sometime during 1903. Old Adcma' flume behind tree c t left. -Maude Baldwin photo 23. warer divides ar the easr end of the flume The three boys rode horseback, Will carry and drops into our old flume abouc 2,500 ing messages from his father ro the rest inches of warer. The old flume is ro the of the train, while Frank and Bob drove lefr." He further explained rhey expected loose srock. George Manning drove the to irrigate a total of 7,000 acres from the lead wagon. new flume, buc were only irrigating 2,000 Before starting, a hay baler from Monta acres at the time, plus 3,000 acres from gue had been brought in and a sufficient the old flume. He srared they received their supply of baled hay was taken along for water from Little Klamath Lake through a rhe round trip. Grain was also taken along. cut in the divide between Whire Lake and As they traveled ro Fall River Valley, they Losr River Valley, and •rhar rhe cur, a mile left hay and grain at the various stopping in length, was 18 feet deep in one place. places ro be used on rhe rerum. He further contemplated immediate im The first night's stop was Carr's Pitch provements to cost $9,000 (These were fork ranch, the second, Dry Lake, the third, to include a four mile cur through the Stobies ar Happy Camp or Mud Lake, the tulles of Lower Klamath Lake and the ex founh, Lookout, the fifth, an old barn, west tension of the main canal some 15 miles) . of what is now Nubieber and the sixth, In all there were berween 40 and 50,000 near Picrville at the McArthur ranch. acres that could be irrigated in {he country. They were in Fall River Valley about one By February 19, 1903 (RePt•blican), week, ir raking two days alone to load the McArthur arrived at Merrill to look over dredger, not figuring dismantling time. the proposed dredging projecr and to close After this all the crew was rakeo in a four all contracts with Adams. horse wagon to Fall City where most im Then on April 2, 1903 (Repttblican), bibed roo freely and had ro be hauled back ic was reponed that Adams had gone after ro camp like cordwood. On the return, the dredge. This event in itself was an while at Mud Lake, the entire crew with epic, and in parr is recorded here from notes the exception of Bob Adams, got sick from made by Mrs. Bob (Evea) Adams many eating sour beans. He was out hunting years ago. strayed horses. Other happenings on the The crew consisted of Mr. Adams, his return were, the mao driving the wagon three boys, Will, Frank and Bob, Denny with the crane got stuck on a juniper, one the cook, a former chore boy, and twenty fine mare died from eating too much grain men. Most of the names of mese men are ar Mud Lake, and Homer Robercs slipped here listed: Lee Doren, Geo. Manning, off the grade at Sardine Flats (on Lower Ray Hosley, Jim Hull, Homer Roberrs, Klamath Lake) with his wagon. Tommy Roberts, Elmer Hoyt, Tom Mc The Republican of June 18, 1903, re· Deown, Jim Flemings, Geo. Johnson, Glen pores ·chat "The big boat, 68 feet long by McCormick, Jerry Martin, Mark Finney, 28 feet wide, which J. Frank Adams has Frank Galbreath, Claude McCall, Wampler, been having built at Keno, was completed Smith and Tennessee. On the rerurn trip, Sunday. Mr. Ada-ms with his crew of 25 the engineer, Lou Fairbanks and Albert men, 25 wagons and over 100 horses, ar Meyers were also members of the crew. rived from Fall City, Cal., with the huge The outfit consisted of 106 horses and dredger and machinery and commenced 24 or 25 wagons. Of these wagons, there loading them onro the boar the first of the was a cwo-horse cook wagon;- cwo six-horse week. The dredger and machinery which wagons, driven by Hull and Manning, one cost about $10,000, weighs 100,000 pounds to haul the boiler and one the crane; a and will cake twenty men three weeks co light Studebaker wagon wich four buggy load onto the boat. The dredger will be horses, driven by. Adams; and the others used in the construction of a canal from the mostly single wagons with four-horse teams Lower Klamath Lake to the head of the averaging cwo cons to the four-horse load. Little Klamath Ditch. The cut will be 24. thirty feet wide, four feet deep, four miles November 20, 1903: "Adams dredge long and the cost is estimated at $9,000." coming through the rule cut." Although it is thus shown that the barge January 7, 1904: "]. F. Adams was in itself was built at Keno, the place of assem the city the fim of the week attending the bing the dredge machinery on the barge is annual meeting of the Little Klamath somewhat clouded. This newspaper article Ditch Co. This company has done an im indicates that Keno was the location, but mense amount of improvement to their a number of old timers, most now deceased, ditch during the past year. Besides the all claim the installation ro have occurred dredge work from the Litde Klamath on Lower Klamath Lake. That means the Lake to the head of their ditch, which en barge was rowed to either Chalk Bank sures them of a perperual supply of water, Landing or Mosquito Point, both on the they are now at work on the extension of open water of Little or Lower Klamath the ditch into California. This will be Lake, where the machinery was assembled. continued ro nearly fifteen miles so as to The editor leans to the latter location, due take in the big Carr ranch. The ditch will ro the statement that "Homer Roberts irrigate in all about 10,000 acres." slipped off the grade at Sardine Flats," September 8, 1904: "The big steam which lies about halfway berween the rwo dredge was brought up from the Lower landings. Evea Adams' notes told to her Lake yesterday and began work this morn by some member of the Adams family, pro ing on the Moore property on the West bably ]. Frank himself, states that the barge side. Mr. R. S. Moore says that be will and machinery was assembled on Lower have a dyke built along the river front Klamath Lake. and will also dig a canal about 20 feet A chronological history of the acnvl wide to run his logs in fot the new saw ties of the Adams dredge as reported in the mill." Klamath Repttbiican follows: July 2, 1903: October 13, 1904: "Dredge began Fri "The machinery for the dredging is now day on water front parallel to Klam.ath being adjusted ro the boat built for the Streer from Payne to Center. The dredge purpose, and will be ready for work early is now cutting a thirty foot channel from in July." the outer edge of the dyke to Klamath July 30, 1903: "]. F. Adams, one of the Avenue. $5.00 an hour or $50.00 per leading members of the Little Klamath day is the cost to Major Worden. Property Ditch Co.. , was in town Monday. He re affected belongs to Worden, Bishop, Jans ports that the company's dredger is now sen, Houston, Goeller and Pierce." making progress in cutting a canal from November 4, 1904: "The Moore dyke Little Klamath Lake to White Lake, the will be three-fourths mile long. The Gen source of supply for the irrigation ditch. eral Canby will barge loads of wood for The dredging is necessarily slow work and the dredge." it will take some time to complete the dis Sometime in late 1904 or early 1905 tance of four miles. negotiations between the U. S. Government "When this canal is completed, Mr. and ]. Frank Adams for the purchase of Adams proposes to use the dredger ro rhe Little Klamath Ditch by the former, reclaim a tract of 2,500 acres of swamp were commenced and evenrually carried land near the Lower Klamath Lake. This to completion at a sales price of $100,000. will be done as an experiment to demon April 27, 1905: "]. F. Adams, who is in Strate the possibility of coverting the vast town this week states that he is going to amount of swamp land into good ranches send his big dredge to Laird's Landing, and feeding grounds. There are some forty on the Lower Lake to do some work there. or fifty thousand acres of land in the sou He has been engaged to do some dredging them part of this county that is practically so that a dock and wharf can be built." worthless at the present time." September 7, 1905: "Considerable feel- 25. ing has been aroused among the residents is being moved from the railroad grades to of Klamath Falls over the condition of the the Moore Mill site, then to dredge a waterfront at the west end of Klamath channel through the east side of the reef Avenue. The dyke that was thrown up (near present day Kesterson sawmill ) , last fall by the property owners shurs out then to Teter's Landing to do some work all the drainage ro the lake and has fo:med for Ackley Bros." a bog hole which is very favorable to the March 26, 1908: "The second dredge breeding of ryphoid germs.... " to be used on the railroad fill is now at Activities of the Adams dredge from Bray. It will be shipped ro Terer's Land April 27, 1905 to March 14, 1907, are ing and put in shape tO work. unrecorded in the old newspaper files, due "The Adams dredge is now at work on largely to the absence of newspaper files the dyke for the experimental farm (near from April lsr, to Oetober 31, 1906. present day Ady siding _ Editor). Adams (Microfilm copies of the missing papers is having a scow built on the Upper Lake have been located at the Universiry of and as soon as work on rhe experimental Oregon, so we hope someday to comple

"Tulie" Lake- Gale - Merrill • • • nUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIUIIUUIIIIIIIIIIIII.IUIIIIIUIIIIIIIUIIIItiiiiUUHIIIIIIIIIIIIIfltiiiiiiiiUUUIIIIUIIIIIIJHIIIIIIIJHIIJIIIJIIIIIIIIUIIIJJJUIIIIIJIIlliiiiJUIIIIIII By DEVERE HELFRICH The first bouse to be built in the Lower for sure, by September 14, 1872, when Lost River Valley was probably the Dennis Major John Green, on his way from Fort Crawley log cabin. It was situated on the Klamath to Forts Bidwell and Warner, north bank of Lost River, slightly east of camped nearby and drew its location on his south from the Malin junction, which bran diary map. He recorded in part, "... A ches from Highway # 39, between Merrill number of settlers in this vicinity. Indians and Tule Lake. It stood just east of the and settlers visited camp." center of Section 8, Township 41 South, Major Green traveled ro the east the Range 11 East. The cabin was in existance following day, and his diary map for Sep- 27. THE LAST GALE SCHOOL Now the re1idence of the Robert Petrika. -Helen Helfrich photo rember 15, 1872 shows the Miller building moved to the latter's home exactly two at a site later to be

FRONT STREET OF MERRILL Looking east from Main. Left aide; Mint Saloon. Houston Opera Houae. one time poal office building. later the Midway Saloon, Lost River Inn and Patteraon Drug Right aide: the old Merrill Bank building, still standing, white building the Anderson atore and post office at one time. -courtesy Klamath County Museum 29. unknown date it became known as Gale in the fields and before snow feU. although it is quite possible the chang~ "Children of families whose names have in names did not occur until the move was been indelibly linked with the development made to the site farther north. Originally of ~ Klamath country sat on homemade it was located one-fourth of a mile south seats and learned their 3 R's. of Highway # 39, on ~ east side of the Stone Bridge or Lava Bed road. In other 'There were the Whitneys, the Colwell words, just north of Malone siding on the family, among them John, first white child in that part of Klamath county (Octo present Southern Pacific Railroad. The born ber 1873---43ditor), the Stukel quin school district was "adopted" into Klamath 11, tette, three of the Martin children, the County, January 31, 1883 by Klamath Aubrey children, the Hammonds, Tom County School Superintendant C R. DeLap. Calmes, the Dodd family and Frank Hadley. The first officers were, Thos. H. Weedon, There may have been others whose names Clerk, and Daniel Colwell, Stephen Srukel have slipped the memories of those who and "Dad" Bybee, Directors. recall those early days. The first teacher According to the History of Central Oregon, 1905, page 877, the law in Ore· that can be remembered, seems to be gon at one time required that a three William F. B. Chase, later commissioner month term of school be held, before a of Klamath County for many years." school district could be organized to secure By 1886, a small communiry had sprung county funds. Therefore this original "Tulie up at the Woodcock location, to which the Lake" school may have opened in March post office of Tule Lake and school of or April, 1879, or even the fall before, in Gale were moved. When the school was September, Occober and November, 1878. transferred, the exaCt date unknown, but Regarding the Gale school, the Herald probably in 1888 or 1889, the new school & NewJ, November 15, 195 1 writes: house was built by George Lesley, a home "School lasted about three months of each steader south of Lost River, who walked year and classes were taught usually in the to his job, swimming the river twice each early fall when all bands were not needed day. It was erected on land donated by

WINTER ON FRONT STREET OF MERRILL Looltinq west. Left aide: Batlilfe Meat Market, Riverside Hotel, City Hall. ···---·• Ander· son building, Merrill Bank buildinq. Riqht aide: Richelieu Hotel, Druq Store, ·········-·• Lost River Inn. location of present post office building, - -··--• Houston Opera and Mint Saloon. --courtesy Klamath County Museum 30. 1909. INTERIOR OF MARTIN BROS. AND R. H. ANDERSON GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE Customer John Cox. Mrs. C C1lvin (Lena Kattenhorn) DC1lton behind counter. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson Robert C. Anderson, who settled at Gale 'The regular instructor was not permit in 1887. George Offield came to Gale to ted to give these examinations lest her teach school in 1898. A new schoolhouse heart melt and some unworthy girl or boy was built in the fall of 1910, costing be helped through the portals of higher $2,500, and was financed by a bond issue. learning. For many years Mrs. Mamie When Gale consolidated with Merrill, the Giacomini presided over the brain-twisting land reverted to the Anderson family. sessions. Again quoting the Heratd and Newss "The traditional 'last day of school' "Ella Callahan, a spinster, at one time meant a picnic with baskets of food spread taught all eight grades. Her students re under the pines on a grassy flat above the member her as a 'modern career woman' Hedrick homestead. The school board capable of helping operate her farm, keep headed by 'Uncle Bob Anderson' furnished ing house ·and holding down a genteel ice cream, lemonade and candy for the posicion. 'crowd'.'' "Children who lived within two miles On April 10, 1890, the name of the of school walked. Those who lived several post office was changed to Gale, and on miles away rode horseback or drove a August 6, 1892, James O'Farrell, a former horse and buggy. The old buggy shed is Lakeview buckaroo and storekeeper, be better remembered than the pursuit of came the new postmaster. knowledge for it was there that confidences According co Ida Momyer Odell, when were whispered by giggling girls and the her father H. E. Momyer and his family boys planned capers for the visits of the settled nearby in 1895, the small com county school superintendant J. G. Swan. munity of Gale consisted of one store, "At that time admission to high school a blacksmith shop, a schoolhouse and post depended on the pupil's ab;liry to make office. passing grades in tough examinations sent Mrs. Odell further states that while liv out from the office of the state director of ing at Gale, her father started a tiny store public instruction, covering every subject. in his home There he stocked samples of 31. 1914, INTERIOR VIEW OF THE MINT SALOON Left to right: Frank Bloomingcamp, owner. -····--• Frank Klaubzuba, John Martin, L. D. Montague, bar-tender, and Cary Raulaby. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson

RIVERSIDE HOTEL, ABOUT 1905 Left to right: -·····--4 -···--··• Demorest. --··---• Frank Bloomingcamp, Bill McClure in front. who ran a meat route, Charlie Shrink. with white coat. barber. ---···• Allen Ladd on horae, --·• Melvin Mitchell, Henry Anderson, Ben Graham, Tom Offield. - courtesy Juanita Stevenson 32. calico obtained from G. W. Smith, rancher Adams sold the $3,000 note of Merrill's to and storekeeper at Altamont, and formerly Lippman Sachs of San Francisco, May 18, owner of the Lakeside Inn of Linkville and 1892. Somehow Alex Marrin, Sr., came in fuse Klamath County Judge in 1884. Cus co possession of the Merrill note, for the tomers would come in, select a pattern from records show that Merrill paid in full for the samples and order yardage to be his place and got his note and mortgage brought down by the mail carrier. back on April 7, 1903, from Alex Martin, .. On January 7, 1896, H. E. Momyer be S r. came the posunasrer of Gale, which at that "In April, 1894, the proposed townsite rime had hopes of becoming a town. of Merrill was surveyed by Antone Castel, The History of Cenual Oregon states Counry Surveyor, assisted by Thomas that "Previous ro, and for some time after Martin, Frank Brandon and N.S. Merrill, the founding of this rown (MerrilLEdiror) flagman. On the 22nd day of May, 1894, there was a little place called Gale, about N. S. Merrill and wife, Nancy J. Merrill, one and three quarrer miles northeast. At dedicated the streets and avenues of Merrill Gale was a post office, a store owned by for the use of rhe public forever. (This James O'Farrell, a blacksmith shop conduc plat was recorded May 28, 1894.) Back ted by Mr. Woodcock and the Pioneer hotel. of these dates and facts copied from the With the founding of Merrill, however, Klamath Counry records, lies the story of Gale moved into the new town." hardship, struggle and measures of suc Meanwhile over on Lost River some cess which was the lot of the pioneers of two and a half miles southwesterly lay this section.'' some land in which J. Frank Adams must As also previously shown, the settlers have recognized a potential value. The realizing the importance of a flour or grist following quotes from an unpublished mill in their own neighborhood. set our to manuscript written by Evea Adams, states: force Thomas Mania, owner and operator "Main street of Merrill runs north from of the flour mill in Klamath Falls, to build the Lose River bridge, chis is also a section another mill, this time in the Merrill line and once divided the homesteads of country. Nathan Merrill could see the Albert Whitney on the west and that of place for a rown to spring up would be Ben Van Brimmer on the east. Albert around the new mill. So he proceeded ro Whitney must have sold his place or parr starr it off by giving Mania the land on of it to Van Brimmer because a deed on which ro build the mill, from the tract record shows Ben Van Brimmer transfer which be had purchased from Adams. ring the W ~ of the SW~ of Section l, The mill was completed in August, 1894, the SE~ of the SE ~ of Section 2, and the first building to be erected in the town lots #2 and#3 of Section 12, Township 41 of Merrill. "Mr. Merrill and his wife South, Range 10 East, 152.3 acres, on sponsored a big feed and dance on the March 15, 1889, to J. Frank Adams. Ten floor of the new mill. The farmers drove dollars was the consideration given. in for miles around to join in the fun. The records further "show that on April Thomas Marcin, the owner of the mill had 20, 1891, }. Frank Adams and Fannie E. already built a bouse for his miller, Frank Adams deeded to Nathan Merrill, rhe land Brandon, who lived there with his mother, in question, consideration $3,000. (This two sisters and brother, George." story has been told previously _Editor). Central Oregon History next states: On record is a note for three thousand dol lars for three years at ten per cent interest "This was followed by the srore of James O'Farrell (moved from Gale and placed from Merrill to Adams, and secured by a mortgage on the land." where the Safeway Score is now. Later "And (so) Nathan Merrill stayed (in Raisch Smith operated this score), the the counuy). The records show chat Frank blacksmith shop of James Stobie (where 33. •

PARADE WEST ON FRONT AT MAIN DURING THE TEENS Left to right: Gladys Anderson. Beulah Rhodes. Minnie Stukel. Georgia MerrilL Joe Stukel,

MERRILL SCHOOL CHILDREN ON DECEMBER 9, 1903 W. H. Musselman, teacher, back row, right; Juanita Batliffe. second from left, front row; Alia Balis holding 1late, Jack Ratlille, third row back, extreme right. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson 34. Harriet Garrison. Jessie GQrriaon, Millie StukeL May Powen1, Mrs. Ike Davia, Hub Ander son, Esaa Ratlille and Grace Grayboel. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson

JOHN RATLIFFE IN FRONT OF HIS MEAT MARKET Eaat end of Front Street, Merrill. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson 35. THE PARADE STARTED- AT THE OLD BRICK STORE NEAR LINK RIVER When the Merrill High School baaeball team played Klamath High in the middle-teena in ·Klamath Falla. -courtesy Melvin Bowman

THE OLD MERRILL JAIL It waa houainq Merrlll'a firat and only bank robber ahortly after the holdup, when thia picture waa taken May 7, 1969. $10,000 waa the take, all recovered within the hour. -Helen Helfrich photo 36. the Shell Station is now), and a number rain. The district much enlarged, is still of dwelling houses. in operation, and still retains the original "A schoolhouse 20 x 40 was erected #28 designaion. in 1895. The money for this purpose was The first school building was abandoned secured by subscription in Merrill and the and the "grand" rwo story building was put surrounding country." George Offield, who up in 1905 on the present location of the later became mayor of Merrill for more Merrill park and recreation hall (being than 25 years, raught the 1899 term. ]. H. torn down in April, 1969- Editor). Wm. Hobbs was the principal in this rwo room F. B. Chase, Fairdo and Offield were some school in 1899. of the first school teachers. Later, in 1908 Again the Oregon law requiring a three enough money was raised to build a one months term of school co be held before a story brick school building, which by 1911, district could be organized to secure county as the population increased, was completed funds affected the situation. This time into the old rwo-story brick building that however, a longer period of time seems t<> burned in 1949. It housed both the grade have elapsed. school and high school. While these various "Tulie Lake," Gale Next the h.igh school was built in 1928. and Merrill school and post office locations. The old brick structure continued to house were in their process of evolution, there the grade school children only. Then in were several nearby and adjoining com 1949 the old brick building was completely munities experiencing a like process. destroyed by fire. Firemen from Merrill, School District # 17, Lone Pine, was Malin and Tule Lake fought the stubborn esrablished in 1888, to have its boundaries. blaze for several hours, but co no avail. revised March 31, 1898. The school had The grade school students were transferred several differem locations. Probably #17's to rooms in the high school and the new last revision was September 28, 1905 recreation building. In 1950, one of the when District #33, White Lake Gty was most modern school buildings in Southern taken from it. On March 18, 1891 School. Oregon was completed to replace the Superintendant P. L. Fountain took District burned building. By 1951, there were #25, Spring Lake from Lone Pine. 341 students enrolled in both schools. On June 26, 1889, according to the Harold Hendrickson was the principal records left by Superintendant P. L. Foun of the high school and Harvey Denham of tain, a petition was circulated to divide the grade shcool. Former teachers were School District #22, Morton, some four Fred Peterson, later County School Super or five miles north of present day Malin, intendant for many years and Twyla Fer from #6, Gale, but failing to complete its guson who served in the same capacity. organization, the territory reverted back to The county sch()Ol unit system was or #6. However, on June 15, 1894, #22, ganized in 1922. All high schools except Morton, succeeded in being divided from Klamath Falls went into the county system #6. in 1933. In March of 18 9 5, a post office of Colson Turning next to the posral history of was esrablished at or near the southeast Merrill, we find that a few months after corner of the intersection of Highway #39 becoming postmaster at Gale, H. E. Mom and the Spring Lake road, or as commonly yer petitioned to have the post office moved known, Mac's Store. The only postmaster to Merrill, and that was done November was Mary E. Colson and the postoffice 20, 1896. According to Evea Adams, "He was discontinued in December of the same brought a little building from Gale and year. put it where the Richfield Service Station District #28, Merrill, was officially or is now ( This spot in now occupied by the ganized March 24, 1898 under the super First National Bank..._Editor), in which vision of School Superintendant P. L. Foun- he ran a store aad conducted the first post 37. 4 • ... ··- WAGON HAULING THE GODDESS OF LIBERTY. MRS. BEN (MAUDE) FAUS John Ratlille, driving; Ira McCalL holding right lead horse; Wayne Bassett, holding left lead horse. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson

MERRILL HARNESS SHOP Left to right: Arthur Combs, Marion Whitlatch. owner. George Offield. Fred Stukel and Mark Howard. The horae is "Red", a fcunous cutting hor1e of the day. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson 38. ONE OF THE FIRST PIANOS IN MERRILL Belonging to Mrs. Ed Martin. Left to right: Dorothy Martin, Viva Martin, and Martip Hamaby. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson office. This building was later moved a in name, was the acting Postmaster. short distance north and is now part of On August 25, 1903 George Wilson be the Merrill shoe shop." came postmaster, and moved the office to The lirde building, greatly remodeled a building he constructed next to Stobie's and changed, still stands just north of Mur blacksmith shop (where the Shell Service phy's Tavern back of the First National Station is now located_ Editor) and west Bank on Washington Street. of Bird McDonald's hotel, the Lost River Next Horatio E. Smith became che post Inn. This location was near that of the old master on April 7, 1899 and the post office Houston Opera House. was moved to his store on the northwest Less than three years later, Robert H. corner of Main and Front Streets. "Li rrle Henry" Anderson became the post On February 9, 1901, Samuel E. Martin master on February 17, 1906 and located became postmaster, probably at the time he the office in a building he likewise built, bought che score from Smith and conse which was at one time occupied by Casey quently the office was not moved. Burke, and was located where the Spud Cel On May 24, 1901 Frank S. Brandon, ler is now siruared. Anderson had a candy long-time miller at Martin Brothers flour and notion store besides the post office. He mill, became the postmaster. The office was married to a daughter of Charles Mar was then moved to a building that later tin and they lived on the second floor of became the Lost River Ion, and was located the building. where the present post office is situated Elmer J. Merritt followed as postmaster (northwest corner of Front and Washing on March 3, 1924 and the office continued ron Stteers _ Editor). George Offield be· in the scame location until about 1930 came the Assistant Posrmasrer, and except when ir was moved to the western portion 39. of what is now the Hodges Grocery on located north of town on Srukel Mountain Front Street, or that part of the building in in a small valley. to which the present double doors open. "Livery stables were a must in every There was a petition d1viding the room at town. People would rent a horse and buggy that time. for a day when they needed it rather than Inez C. Given followed Merritt on May keep their own. Merrill had quite a num 26, 1936 the post office continuing in the ber of livery stables in itS early days. One same location. early livery srable was located near the Finally Alonzo I. Hodges became the present fire hall. The Martin Brothers, postmaster on September 28, 1938 which Edward, John, and Charles, sons of Thomas posicion he holds at the present rime. Later, who built the flour mill, freighted in in 1951 or 1952, the office was moved one from Montague. They used teams and door west into what is now the Art Center wagons and the uip was hard to make but at 135 Front Street, and lastly the post they kept a thriving business going. office was moved across the street to its " ... J. Frank Adams knew that all new present location, in the new post office towns must have a church. He gave $300 building on the northwest corner of Front to the first Protestant Church. Nathan and Washington StreetS, on October 3, Merrill gave land ro the townspeople to be 1961. used exclusively for a church. A communi Evea Adams· history continues: "Horatio ty hall was built instead. By agreement 'Raisch' Smith probably handled the first that land was ro go back to Nathan Merrill whiskey in Merrill, and sold it from his or his heirs. The people wanted to keep store. Welsh was next ro handle whiskey the community hall so they bought shares when he got the first hotel going which and saved the building. The people who was located on Maio Street one block ran the sawmill were Christian Scientists. north of Smith's store. This was known as They had a small group but they didn't the Merrill Hotel (and still stands today stay here long. A Catholic Church was __ Editor). started and now they have a sizeable group. "Dr. Demarest was the first dentist to Other church groups came and stayed for live in Merrill. Dr. Wing was the first a while before moving on. Now there are M.D. and Dr. Patterson was the next. Dr. three churches in Merrill Demarest built the bouse which is known "Like any other town, Merrill has had as the Murray bouse now. Dr. Wing built itS share of business establishmentS. Most a house which is part of the Offield house of the early businesses were burned down now. or desuoyed in some way before the time "An early day hotel keeper was Mrs. John that most of Merrill's residentS can remem Radiffe, who leased the Welsh hotel for a ber. while and later operated the Riverside Hotel " ... there were several saloons. Among for many years which she bought from them was the Clubine Saloon, -the Bloom Tom Offield." The following excerpts are from the lat ingcamps Saloon and others whose names ter part of a History of Merrill, written by have been forgotten. Myrene Cunningham, March 8, 1963: "Merrill had several hotels in itS early " ... At one time a planing mill was days. The Richlieu Hotel was located near located on Lost River near where the foot where the Merrill Lumber Company now •' ball field is now located. Before the planing stands. The Riverside Hotel was located on mill was built, the Indians came to camp the river where the Dairy Store is now I and fish. They laid their catch out to dry located. It was operated by Mrs. John on the banks of the river. Merrill also Ratliffe who bought it from Tom Offield. supported a sawmill at one time. This mill This hotel also housed a saloon and a bar was run by Rhodes and Barrows. It was ber shop. It burned one day when an ex- I 40. terminator was trying to rid it of animals "Every town has a ·high society club. and insects. In Merrill it was the Library Club. Only "In 1908 a paper was started. This week the wives of the towns prominent citizens ly paper called the Merrill Record was pub belonged. The first president was Mrs. lished for many years. It, however, never Sarah Wilson, wife of the man who ran a had a large number of subscribers and it livery stable along the river. All the women was finally discontinued. A coffin shop in Merrill longed to belong to the Library was operated for a while by a ca,binet maker. Club. He made coffins in his spare time so there "Merrill was incorporated in 1903. In would be some coffins ready for use when 1908 the charter was renewed. The people they were needed. formed a city government and eleeted their city officers. George Offield was mayor "Houston's Opera House, owned by for rwenty years. John Housron of Klamath Falls, was the "Merrill has experienced a great number community center for many years. School of unsuccessful businesses. The town was programs, dances and meetings were held well planned. It was surveyyed and divided in the Opera House. One night af.rer the inro dty blocks. The streets north and people had arrived at their homes from sourb are named for Presidents. Washing a program, the alarm was spread that the ton, Jefferson, Monroe, Lincoln, Grant, Opera House was on fire. It burned to the Garfield, McKinley, Polk, and Roosevelt ground and the loss was felt by all. are some examples. Throughout the early "Merrill was fortunate enough to have days, Merrill experienced no real violence a doccor. Dr. Wing was the first. Dr. or bloodshed. John Patterson also was a doccor in Merrill "We are eternally grateful to the early for many years. He bought the Drug Score settlers, Merrill, Adams, Martin, and Van from Henry Anderson who was operating Brimmer for having the forsight to plan at that time. Patterson made the Drug and build a town on Lost River which Score into a profitable business. The first proved to be the heart of a prosperous dencist co live in Merrill was Dr. Demarest. farming community."

Recollections • • • UIJHIIIIIIIIUIIIIUUIDIIIIIUIIIIIIJIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIUIIIIIJilUIIUIJJ11111UllUIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIUIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIUIIIIIIIUIIIUIIIIIfiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJIIIIIIIUIIIIIUIIUIIIII As Written by Mrs. Jim (Juanita Ratliffe) Stevenson Uncle Clay left Missouri in the fall of Mama and Delcie who was

FIRST AUTOMOBILE IN MERRILL. 1912 Mrs. Linie Offield. driver, Juanita RatliHe passenger. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson 42. SAWMILL ~curtesy Melvin Bowman Sawmills of the Merrill Vicinity . . . a&a.lmiiiUI.HUIIIIURitiUlUIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIUIIUIIIttiiUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIItUHIIItiUUIIUIDfiWIUUIIIIIUUIIHIIDIUUittttllbttUIIUJJtttlllttUimllltnfiiiUtlftlllllllllllllllllltJIUIItlllllllll By DEVERE H ELFRICH

Back in the pioneer times there was no Merrill. He expectS co ship in new machin sawmill near the Lower Lost River Valley ery and have a first-class mill." or what later became the Merrill and sur The mill was to have an intended capa rounding communities. city of 15,000 to 25,000 feet a day. A Log cabins were erected and the linle shingle mill was also built. The haul from lumber chat was used, was hauled from the the mill would be easy, as it was down hill Moore mill at Linkville, or the Spencer all the way. The road up was not so easy, Creek mill west of Keno. Lumber from this however, as it took 16 stout horses tO haul latter mill may have been transported in the 7,000 pounds of machinery for the part way by boat, the old Mayflower, from mill. Keno to White Lake. W. E. Lamm in "Lumbering in Klamath" Then in 1899, (according to the Klam states that the original capacity of this ath Republican of May 26, 1904), W. P. mill was about eight thousand feet per day. Rhoads came to Klamath County where "Later the capacity of the mill was almost he ran 'me Gowan ranch for one year. doubled by the addition of another boiler Having been a sawmill man, be recognizd and another engine, water had to be hauled the demand for lumber, so be purchased a from a spring about a mile away. After mill and some timber land on Stukel Moun four years operation, the mill was sold to tain. Turner Brothers, who moved it first to the spring, and after a few seasons work at the The Republican of February 21, 1901 new location, again to a site about two states: ·wm. P. Rhoads is malcing prepara miles south of Olene." tions to establish and run a sawmill and J. L. Arnerc seems to have secured a one planer on Stukel Mountain, six miles from half interest in the veorure with Rhoads, 43. whether from the beginning or not, we do this fall. The output of this mill hereto nor know. However, by August 20, 1903 fore has gone to Merrill and that section. Arnett was offering for sale his interest in This condition of affairs will, however, a planer, edger, blacksrruth shop, cook change when the mill is installed in irs house and logging outfit, and about $8,000 new loca·tion, and the output thereafter worth of lumber ready for market. He will come co the city (Klamath Falls __ Ed seems not ro have sold out until the middle iror) . The mill has a capacity of about of April, 1904 when Rhoads bought Ar 20,000 feet per day. The water supply in nett's one·half interest. their present location has been inadequate, Then on May 11, 1905 (RepublicatJ) and with rhe plentiful supply, wruch is to it was written: "A deal was closed Monday be bad at Dixon Springs, a continuous for the sale of W. P. Rhoads" sawmill and operation of rhis plaoc is probable." one-half section of timber land to Turner After Turners acquired the sawmill, they Bros., of Montesano, Wasrungron. Con cur some trees imo shingle-length sections, siderarion ss,ooo:· hauled these to Lost River somewhere above Next on June 13, 1907 (Republican) Wilson Bridge, and then floated them it was stated: ""Mr. Rhoads is making ar downstream to Merrill where a shingle rangements for the installation of a planing mill was located. mill at Merrill Landing (Supposedly on The Republican of October 16, 1914 White Lake_ Edicor) and has ordered reported that Man:in Bros. had bought the necessary macrunery for it." rhe lumber yard and builders supply score September 2, 1909 (Republican) : at Merrill from Big Basin Lumber Co. "Turner Bros., who for some rime past have who had established the business there been operating a sawmill on the summjt sometime before. of Mount Srukel, will move their rrull from About 1920, Alfred "Cap" Collier the presem location to Dixon Springs on bought pan:s of the Turner mill and used this side of the mountain. The task of them co set up a sawmill of his own in moving will be commenced some time Upper Swan Lake Valley. Merrill Newspapers ... IJUUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUUIIIIUIIIIJilUIIIIUIIIIIIIIIlllllllllllltiiiiUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIUIIlUUIIIIUUIIIIIUIUIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIUUIIIIIIIUIIIIIHUIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIUIUIIIUIIIIIIIIIUIIUIUliiiiiiiUl By DEVERE HELFRICH White Lake City-boom-town of the S. Merrill and moved to Merrill where it Klamath Basin in 1905 and '06-was became the Merrill Weekly Record. served by one of the most picturesque Vance Hutchins seems to have gone with weekly newspapers in Southern Oregon, the paper ro Merrill. Various other editors the White Lake City Times. L succeeded him until Catherine Prehm Ter· The newspaper was started in 1905, be ry purchased rhe paper in 1909 for $700. fore the town itself, and was printed in the According co the Republican of January old Klamath Republican plant in Klamath 10, 193 7: "There was some doubt in the Falls. The paper's own plant was an old minds of persons familiar wirh the news ex-Army press bought in Portland, Oregon. paper profession whether Mrs. Terry could E. B. "Bert" Hall was the owner and pub make he sheer pay dividends. Her down lisher. Vance Hutcruns was the managing payment was ten dollars. Within four editor. The Times bad a circulation of months she had taken up the balance of the more than 900 but only lasted about a year. note. The payment was made despite pre It was entered as second-class matter in dictions to the contrary. the Merrill post office. "The plane was l<>caited on the present When the White Lake City bubble burst, (193 7-- Edior) sire of the Merrill Com the Times folded up too. It was sold to N. munity hall. 44. "Mrs. Terry pur on an unique scum on ord and News co Klamath Falls in April July 4, 1910, and carried off first prize in or May of 1915, where it became the Klam the Klamarh Falls Independence Day par ath County Record. Shortly rhereafter she ade. She loaded her press onro a wagon sold it ro W. H. Mason. drawn by a beautiful pair of marched greys After the Merrill Weekly Record was owned by Guy Merrill. She en1ered the line cransferred ro Klamarh Falls, George Brad of march, prinred her weekly issue of the nack, wirh C. B. Hodgkins as associate ed Record en roure and distribured ir to the icor, began publishing rhe Merritt Times throng lining Maio Street." on June 7, 1915. On August 29, 1914 (Klamath Evening According ro rhe Herald of March 27, Herald ) ir was announced that Catherine 1916, trouble of unwrirren origin had some Prehm had purchased the Ft. Klamath time in rhe pasr, arisen between Ca.rherine Neu•s. Prehm Terry and Bradnack. Ir evenrually Larer, on November 16, 1914 (Evening led co ".Z..fus" Prehm following Bradnack to Hearld) it was announced that "Editor the Jev.·el Cafe at rhe corner of Sinh and Wilson of the Ft. Klamath News has moved Main in Klamath Falls, where she sent for from the Fort ro Merrill for the winter. Ar him co come ourside and talk. " ... After the Iacer place he will issue the News at his some altercation ... Miss Prehm pulled off mother's planr." her coat, pulled a whip our from under the Mrs. T erry moved the coosolidared Rec- coat and scarred after Bradnack." "Miss" Prehm was taken inco custody and rhe next day fined S 5 by police judge Lea vitt. Bradnack's Merrill Times went out of business "afrer lasting hardly long enough to leave more than a trace of irs existence." In 1920 Mason changed the weekly into a daily in comperition with the KlamaJh Herald. It then became known as the Klamath Daily Record. T he paper was reorganized on August 17, 1921 under new management and shortly thereafrer reorganized again after which ir eorered ioco a scrap with E. ]. Murray of the Herald. The Klamath Daily Record "received a dearh sentence in the circuit court on May 18, 1922, afrer months of one of the most exciting and disrurbing newspaper fighrs in southern Oregon history. Guns were drawn, threars of physical violence were muttered, arrests were made and trials held and finally rhe whack of rhe Judge's gavel closed the pages of the Record. (Her ald, January 30, 193 7). Early in 1935 Mrs. Terry rerurned to HOME OF THE MERRILL RECORD Newspaper p lant with Catherin e Preme Merrill from Alruras, California where she Terry. owner and operator. Note the ~y had been publishing a newspaper, and re han d printinq press on the porch beatde established rhe Record in the ciry of irs the owner. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson birth. 45. KENO rN 1895 Sam Padgett rowing the boat. hia future wife. daughter of Newton Pratt. one of the ladies in the boat. -courtesy Bud Padgett Keno and Vicinity • • IIIIUIIIIIIIIIIUIUIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIUUIIJJUIUIIUIIIIUIIUIIIIUJIIIUUIIIIUJUUIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIUIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIUUIIIIIIIIIUIIIIUUUIIUJIRIIIIIUJURJJJIIUIII Reprinted from the History of Central Oregon, 19 0 5, pp. 9 3 1, 938-940 and 981-82, with added notes by the Editor. "During the very early days a few fur Wendolen Nus, who during the winter of traders penerrated the Klamath counrry, as 1858-59 grazed a band of stock on the they did all portions of the normwest. One Klamath River where is now the ranch of of the best known of these traders who 0. A. Stearns a few miles southwest of visited the Klamath counrry was Mart Klamath Falls (About midway between Frain. (Two other early day trappers and Klamath Falls and Keno__ _Editor). Mr. rraders were Robert Whittle and Francis Nus later went ro the John Day mines but Picard who were also in the Klamath returned !0 the Klamam 1949. pany L, 3rd Artillery, established and oc- 47. cupied a post on Spencer Creek, west of for some time previous, accompanied Keno. The post was established for the Stearns and Colver in rheir search for land, protection of emigrancs and was called and about the same rime located on Spen Camp Day. It was situated about a half cer Creek. Mrs. Brown accompanied her mile from rhe Klamarh River. For further husband and was the first white woman to derails and a picture, see Klamath Echoes make her home in the Klamath country. No. I, pp. 11 -12 . . Editor) "Another settler of 1867 was Dennis 'The honor of being rhe frist permanent Crawley who settled on land on the (north) settler in Klamath county undoubtedly side of Klamath River near the 0. A. belongs ro W endolen Nus, who was later Stearns place. H. M. Thatcher, who was a killed in rhe Modoc War. We have relared school ·teacher living in the settlements the experiences of Mr. Nus during the west of the mountains, was a partner of winter of 1858-59, in rhe Klamath coun Mr. Crawley and came our the following try, and of his subsequent removal co rhe year. He rook land adjoining his partner. John Day mines. In 1866 Mr. Nus re Being of small means these two men de rurned co rhe Klamarh basin. Wim him he cided to economize in the matter of build brought a band of cattle. He located on the ings and so only one cabin was ereored, and west side of Klamath Lake at a point about that was on Mr. Crawley's claim. They put three miles north of the present town of in a crop of grain, their intention being to Klamath Falls. Here he built a cabin, did supply grain for Fore Klamath. Their some fencing and passed the winter of venrure resulted in failure; their partner 1866-67. Here he buik acabin, did some ship was dissolved, and each member set fencing and passed the winter of 1866-67. tled ar different points in the county. That winter he furnished beef for the fort. "ln 1868 Messrs. J. T. Fulkerson and In 1867 he rook up a place on the (soum) Mr. Harris took up homes about ten miles bank of Klamath River, about two miles southwest of Linkville where they built below th epresent site of Klamath Falls cabins. Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Fulkerson (opposite the present Kesterson sawmill were also, among the first white women to Editor). Here he built a cabin and ran locate in the county. . .. In the fall of a ferry across the Klamath River. 1868, a Mr. Miller accompanied by his "In April, 1867, two soldiers stationed rhree sons, John H., William and Warren at the fort, First Sergeant 0. A. Stearns settled on land on Little Klamath Lake on and Lewellyn Colver of Company I, First what is now known as the Downing ranch Oregon Infantry, selected land in the ( sourhwesterly from present day Worden Klamath country upon which to settle so _ Editor). Robert Whittle, who for several soon as they were mustered our of the ser years previously had annually come from vice. This occurred in July, of that year, Yreka up m rhe Klamath River where ar Jaclcsonville, and they at once returned Keno is now siruated, to catch fish which to their new homes. The holdings by them he rook back m Yreka to sell, in 1868 selected were srate lands on rhe (north) with his son-in-law, Francis Picard, built side of Klamar:h River, seven miles south a cabin and the two became residen

KENO ABOUT 1898 · at left "Reliance Wagon Shop." The D. J. Ferree atore, the white building White 111qn d' at end of bridge ia still atan mg. 50. History of Keno • • • lllllllfllllltiUIItlllltttllllllttlttllllllllllllllltiiiiiiiiiUIIIHIIIIIIIIIIUitiiiiiUIItlllllllflllll lllllllllllllllllllllllltiiiiiUIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllh Printed in the Klamath Herald, December 2 7, 19 2 2 By JESSIE PUCKETT, 8th Grader Before Keno came inro existence, the The Indians for the most parr got along Klamath Indians roamed me forests and well with the whites. rivers about this region subsisting on the Mr. Whittle came to Keno in 1873 fish, clams and crawfish they caught in the ( 1868-.Ediror) and built himself a home rivers and mountain streams, and the deer of logs to live in while he took up his and buffalo chey killed in the forest and homestead on the land surrounding Keno. on che plains. Once in a while they made He chose ·this place because the land was .t trip co the huckleberry patch getting a fairly well adapted to agricultural put· supply of berries and drying them for the poses, and the river being so dose he winter. They also gathered the wild rice thought it would be an ideal spot for that grows along the river bank and made srockraising, which it later proved to be. trips co Lost River up on the Reservation He ran a ferry across the river about a for suckers ro dry, and to the forests of quarter of a mile down the river from sugar pine for nuts, if the burrs hadn't Keno. There was little travel across the already fallen. They cut the trees down, river at that time. The road (From the burned che pitch off and hulled out the Rogue River Valley __ Editor) instead of nuts. Ofcen the squaws would dig apaws coming through Keno took a northerly for food. They had most of the work ro do direction, around by Spencers (near Spen while the warriors just hunted and fished. cer Creek. .. Editor), but lllter in 1880 They made their clothing of skins of ( 1878, statement by George Ager_.Ed animals they caught and their wigwams of iror ), Whittle and some others built a che large skins such as deer and buffalo. wooden bridge, where the present one now Since then and at the present time, many stands. Soon after this the pioneers cut arrowheads, spearheads and cooking uten a road through to Keno some what near sils are found in these old Indian haunts. where the highway is now surveyed. They made their cooking utensils of stone Several years elapsed before the main and got some of their flint near Dorris. travel came chis way but in time this settle They chipped it until it was the shape of an ment became the principal freight stop arrow bead. Sometimes the Indians poi for the supplies going to the soldiers at soned their ·arrowheads with roots and Fort Klamath and all the freight going to berries. The bows were made of different Lakeview. kinds of wood found in the forest. Mr. Whittle got along splendidly with These tribes of Indians lived at Corpe the Indians since his wife was an Indian Island and Teter's Landing, bo

Keno • • • lllllllllHIIIIIIUlUIIIIIIUIIIIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllltllllllllfllllllllllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiUIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiiUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Reprinted from the History of Klamath County, 19 41, pp. 13 3-3 4 By RACHAEL APPLEGATE GOOD "According to the records of the Poscal stock of a small s

THE ROBERT A. EMMIT HOME Built in 1883 with the originlll Fra.nk Miner, PleYDa atore building atill ata.ndinq in the rear. -Helen Hellrich photo 55. Robert Whittle • IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIHIIIIJIIIIIJUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIItfiHUUIIIUIIIIfllllllllfllltiiiiiiiiiiiiJIUIIllllllllll By WILLARD W. WRIGHT (As compiled from two leners, written April 11, 1965 and April 11, 1967.-.Ed itor. ) 1 feel that I have cerrain ties with the Klamath area. However, the only time that I have lived in Klamath Falls was in 1928 and 1929. I was a member of a survey party during the consaucrion of the South ern Pacific Railroad between Klamath Falls and Alturas. In chose days I was young and the things uppermost in my mind at chat time did not, unfortunately, include hisrory and such. I am unusually interested in Robert and Matilda Whittle since they were my great grandparentS. Their daughter, Caroline Whittle, married Francis Picard. Louisa Jane Picard, daughter of Francis and Caroline, married William Alfred (Billy) Wright. I am the youngest son of William and Louisa Wright. My great-grandfather, Robert Whittle, accompanied by his son-in-law, Francis Picard, built a cabin in 1868 at the place now known as Keno and established a ferry rhere. Previous to this, Robert Whit de had for several yeaJ'S annually visited chat area -to carch fish to take back to Yreka to sell to the miners. Robert Whirtle was born in Philadelphia and came to San Francisco, probably in Devere Helfrich, editor of Klamath Echoes beside a stump still standing in Keno, in 1850, as a sailor on a ship. He departed the scribed by surveyors, probably Turner and ship and journeyed to no!lcbern California Howard in September, 1872, when the lirat where he made Yreka his parr-rime resi surveys of that section were made. dence for some years. He found mining - Helen Helfrich photo not to his liking and seemed to prefer the is also in the Great Register of Voters as free and easy life along the Klamath. He a resident of Yreka from 1866 through did sell fish from time to time in Yreka. 1875. He registered July 19, 1866 as being I think he was one of ·the first white men 3 7 years of age, born in Pennsylvania, and -to know the Klamath Basin well. There are fisherman as his occupation. indications that he was there as early as Robert Whitrle lived there ar .the ferry 1852 since his daughter, Caroline Whirtle, from 1868 until his death. T·he settlement was born in ei.ther 1852 or 1853. was known as Whittle's Ferry and a post It would seem mar he divided his time office was established there September 22, between the Klamcb Basin and Yreka for 1876 under that name. (The ferry was several years. He is shown in the 1860 replaced in 1878 by a bridge as told by census as a resident of Yreka. His name George Ager. In Book #1, K.la.math 56. Counry DeDeds, Page 332 is the record of Henry the Eigth and setting her up in the a Quit Claim deed from Robert and MatiJ corpes business shows that he must like her d.l Whittle to Lake Counry, in which Klam pretty well as far as be has got. ath Councy then lay, to "The bridge across "Bob is a social fellow, and has a decided Kl.lmarh River, siruate in Seaion 6, Town tendency for 'keerds.' He came home with ship 40, Range 8, known as 'Whirde a new suit of clothes once, and his wife, Bridge'." The deed was dated April 1st, wishing to upbraid him for his extravagance 188 1 and was for $275.00 Ediror.) of dress, asked: Roben Marple, also from Philadelphia, "What you pay for dem clOthes?' was the first postmaster at Whitde's Ferry. " 'Four jacks,' was the oracular answer. He was a nephew of Bob Whittle. Mrs. "One day a fellow came out from Jack- Marple accompanied her husband to tbe sonville to see him. The traveller's ward Klamath Basin from Philadelphia. She was robe consisted of a deck of cards and a a cultured and refined lady who probably fishing line. Bob greeted him kindly and brought rhe first grand piano into Lin.kville. bade him come into the chateau and be There was a deal of adjustments to be sociable. So at it they went, to play a made by her for life on the frontier and champion match at cribbage, the best 999 particularly tO adjust to the fact that her games out of 1,000 for a dollar's worth of husband's uncle had a native Indian woman tobacco. Weeks rolled by, in which they as his wife. Robert Marple was well known fished, hunted and played cards, but Bob in later years as a stage and freight driver. cut no bay nor reaped oats. His better half He also conducted a livery business in becoming very much discouraged, walked Linkville. into the room one day just in time to hear Recently I found an article "A. Modoc him say: Well George, I think I've got Magnate" in the California State Library you where the hac's sbort-I've got fifteen at Sacramento. It is from the April 2, two, fifteen four-' 1872 issue of the San Fraocisro Alta Cali " 'Heep smart man,' said the dusky fornia, page 1, column 3: matron with a smile of ineffable disgust; 'beep smarr man. All de time talkee fif "One of the most eccentric of all the teen two, fifteen four. Bimeby Bob Whittle characters mixed up in the Modoc War is he got no halo chemuck in de house.' Bob Whittle, a Missouri Methodist, who "From that hour Bob experienced a follows the joint callings of fisherman and thorough reformation. He took the source grazier on the banks of Klamath Lake. Bob of all his misery-the big wooden crib is a regular specimen of an unsuccessful board-and whittled a handle on one end 'forry-niner,' and can lie down and go to of it, so that his youngest boy could use it sleep with a· good grace wherever night to paddle his little cherub sister; he burned overtakes him. He .is the soul of hospitality, the deck of cards beneath the smoldering however, and never lets a mao l~ve his embers on the family hearthstone--and house with an empty diaphragm. About sent Wigwam and War breathed gushing accents of undyi ng affec Path by A. B. Meacham, Robert Whittle tion into her sunburnt ear. Whether they and his wife are mentioned as follows: were bound together by words spoken by "Communication with the rebel camp priestly lips we known n

As Told to Me by George Ager • • • m 1948 UUUilUIIIIJJIIHIIIIIIJUUIIIIIIJUIIIIUUIIIIIIIJHIIUIUUIIIIIUHUIUUJllllfllllllllflllllllllltiiHIIIIIIIIUIIHIIIIIIILIIIIIIllliiiiiiiUUIIIIIIIUIIIIIIUUIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIUUIIIIUUIIIIIIHUIIIIIIHU I was born April 22, 1869. I first came team I ever saw, just the combination. from Ager to Keno with a band of sheep Birch didn't show up one day so the men in 1878 when I was nine years old. 1 came s~nt me by horse to see what the trouble horseback. The bridge M Keno wasn't com was. I came co the top of a little hill and pleted so we had to wait. A Mr. Birch could see the team stuck in the mud at was hauling the planks for the bridge t.he bottom in a li

AS TOLD TO ME BY MRS. GEORGE (BLANCHE) AGER July 7, 1948 tllllllllllltUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIDUIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUUUIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJJUUIIUUUUIIIJJHIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIItllllllltiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUI This is not old Plevna, that was ar the T he big spring on the south side of the Emmit ranch, bur the post office was later road was Briar Spring. The old 0. T. Brown moved to my father's (0. .A . Stearns) place is where the Hollidays now live ·ranch. The old house was burned and the ( Holliday Dairy) , although the Browns old one there now, is a later one. The old originally settled where the old Cooper stage barn on this side (north) of the rood Stage Station was later located. The first is seventy years old and still stands where site of Plevna school is west of here, where it always did. .Across the road from my the Kerns pumps are now located. When father's house was the old Colver place and we went to school there, rattle snakes used the old house stood until rwo years ago, to get under the building and buzz until when Van Valkenburg built the brick one. we would rake them our and kill them. The 59. school was later moved to irs present lo (about one-half mile west of the Round cation which is now the home between the Lake road rurn-ofL_Ediror) and back of Round Lake road M~d Briar Springs. There the hill to the west and on to Emmit's. was once a stage hold up at the end o! It was changed back when the present high· Juniper ridge just south of the Bob Emmit way was built. The road used to run past ranch. Brown's and on to Merganser, which was The old road ran about where the present where the Kesterson Mill is now, then on highway does, but was changed in about '88, to Linkville over Lindley Heights and into to come right in front of the house here town by Riverside Drive.

Keno Post Office • • • lltlllliiiiiiiJIIIIIIIIIIJUIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIItlllllllllltiiiUIIIUUIIIIIIIJUUIIIIIIUJIIUitlllllfiiiUUIIIIIIIHIIIIII11111UIIIIIIllllllllllflfii111111111111111HUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIItlnlllltllltllllllfiUIIIIJIIUt By DEVERE HELFRICH

Heretofore all historical writers in re and change of name, the site of the post cording the history of Keno, have claimed office was undoubtedly changed at this time, that Robert Whittle was the first postmaster bur again the location is unknown. of Keno, or as it was then called, Whitttle's Then on February l, 1882 Robert A. Ferry. Recrds available in the National Emmit became the postmaster of Plevna Archives, Washington, D. C., plainly prove with the postoffice located at his home, that Robert W. Marple, nephew of Robert some two miles northeast of irs former site, at the eastern base of Juniper ridge. The Whittle became the first postmaster Septem original Emmit home was out in the swamp ber 22, 1876 by appointment. The office land along the river. Afrer this house was located in the Northwest Quarter of burned, Emmit moved a little log house to Section 6, 150 yeards south of the Klamath the location that became known as Plevna River, probably at Whittle's cabin or trading or the present day Don Johnson home, also an Emmit ranch house, built in 1883. On post. It is quite probable that this building November 27, 1885 Thomas P. Miner, son was near or incorporated into what later in-law of G. W. Smith, Klamath Counry's became the Doten home. first judge, and one time operator of the Gold Front store in Linkville on Payne Five months later, on February 19, 1877 Alley and Main Street, who at the time William R. Monroe succeeded Marple. bad a sma.ll store at the Emmit ranch, be Wberher the location of the office was came the postmaster. This building stood changed is unknown at this time. Slightly about rwo hunderd feet due east of me last over three months later, Monroe in turn, Emmit home and is supposed to be the building still standing directly behind the was succeeded by Samuel H. Williams on big white house (Don Johnson home). May 28, 1877. Again it is unknown During this same period of time, Robert whether the site of the office was changed. Whittle died on August 30, 1883 and Slightly over seven months larer, on sometime thereafter, around 1885, J. W. January 9, 1878 the name of we post office Doten acquired ten acres from the Whittle estate, upon which he laid out the townsite was changed from Whittle's Ferry to Plevna, of Doten, and which is commonly known with William H. Roberts becoming the new today as Keno. The townsite name has postmaster on the same date, to serve just never been changed. The townsite was laid over four years. Due to the length of service out May 23, 1887. 60. Probably shortly thereafter, D. J. Ferree postmaster on September 12, 191 7 with the built a new score ( the building is scill office located in the old Doten home, one standing in presenc day Keno at the south block east of the highway on Park: Street. end of the Klamath River bridge on the It has also been told that the post office was located in a little shack standing beside west side of Highway #66, or Brighton the Doten home. During March, 1920 the Avenue ) . !nco this building was also post office was moved co a building ( now moved the small stock of the Miner score at the Keno Cafe) on the main highway, one the Emmie ranch, and a new pose office in block west of its former site. Nellie Doren st.alled, called Keno. Mary E. Ferree became died in office, and her brother Daniel R. the new postmaster August 9, 1887. The Doren took: over as postmaster on March srory of the naming of Keno has already 6,1929, rhe office continuing in the same been related. location. Lois Snowgoose, served as clerk. In the meantime, rather than see rhe post Joe H. Foster, janitor of the Keno schools, office moved farther from his neighborhood, was appointed postmaster on June 28, 1938 Orson A. Stearns petitioned for, and secured and the office was moved north across Park the pose office of Plevna. He became post Street inro rhe building once known as the master February 15, 1888 and the office Shell Service Sration, or on the northeast was esrablished in his home on the south corner of Park and Brighton Streets. Foster side of the Keno road a short di~taoce east died in offjce November 13, 1947 and on of the present rurn-off of the Round Lake the same dace Mrs. Nellie I. Mason was ap road. Here it remained until discontinued pointed postmaSter. The post office was March 21, 1892. moved wesc across the highway into the Back at Keno, Mary E. Ferree served as Mason home in the old Puckett house. .At posonaster until December 2, 1889 when some unknown dace, Mrs. Mason moved the Jesse D. Walker became postmaster. Walk posroffice back across the highway into the er was a nearby farmer, but the location of old dance hall, where she lived in the rear the post office during his term is unknown, of the building. however it could well have remained in rhe Next, Alice E. Cecil was appointed post store building since it was located there master on November 30, 1953 with the both before and after his term. office remaining in the rear of che old Jacob I. Padgel't, grandfather of M. F. dance hall. However, there was local ob "Bud" Padgett, was appointed postmaster jection to the pose office being located December 8, 1897 with his office in the in the dance hall, so it WAS moved once score building. Records in the Keno post more across cbe highway, chis time inco a office show ·char an 0. J. Reed served, former location, the old Keno Score. The probably as assistant postmaster, from 1899 dance hall has since burned. to 1906. Jacob Padgett's term ended De Finally, on Ocrober 6, 1961 Mrs. Dick cember 22, 1909 and on the following day, (Susan H. ) Wick became me posanaster December 23, 1909, his son, Samuel Pad gett, "Bud's" father, took over as postmaster. with rhe pose office remaining in the rear The store by this time belonged to Sam of the Keno Store. However, at ~his writing Padgett. (May 10, 1969) a new pose office building On .April 5, 1915 Henry Snowgoose is under construction about one block east was appointed postmaster and the post of the Keno Srore, and on the south side office was moved to his house, approximate ly one block east of the Keno store building, of River Street and will be occupied some or across the street, north of the new post rime in the very near future. Mrs. Wick is office building now under construction. still the postmaster with Mrs. Roy Powell as Next, Sarah Ellen "Nellie" Doten became assistant. 61. THE FREIGHT TEAMS OF JOE (IN THE LEAD) AND JIM MOORE Brothers who freighted into Klamath Falla from Ager, California, via the old Topsy grade. This picture was taken on the bridge at Keno. -Maude Baldwin photo \

WESTERN STAGE COMPANY COACH In front of the Keno Riverside Hotel, during the late 1890's on the run from Ager to Klamath Falla. 62. THE KENO STORE ABOUT 1904 When owned by Sam Padgett, atanding at the c:orner of the bllilding. Bud Padgett ia the amall lad in the doorway. -<:ourtesy Bud Padgett

THE n:NO STORE TODAY With the poat oHic:e in the rear. Note the me of the trees as c:ompared with the 1904 pic:ture. -Helen Helfrich photo 63. Seemingly, no trcillic problem.

EAR.LY DAY KENOITES Standing, left to right: Bay Anderson. Len Anderson. Conrad Madison. Thomas McCormick. Sam Deal. Major Spencer, George Kerns, Mr. Payne. Kneeling: Thomas McCormick. jr.. Sam Padgett. Dan Doten. Bryce McCormiclc and George Anderson. -courtesy Bud Padgett 64. Sawmills of the Keno Vicinity . . . ftltiHUilllllltllllltiiiiiiUIIJJUIIIUIIUIIIUIIIUIIIIIUIUIIIItUIIIUIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIfllllllllllllllllhiiJIIIUIIIIIIUITIUIIIUUUUIIIWIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUUIItiiiiiiiUIUIIUIIIIIIIIIIII By DEVERE HELFRICH "Lumbering in Klamath" by W. E. the log was being set up. Tills mill cut Lamm, Ocrober, 1941 states: the lumber for the first bridge across Link "The first privately owned sawmill in River at Klamath Falls, then Linkville. H. the county was, no doubt, the sash mill with E. Spencer, operating it until 1886.' (What overshot water wheel located about one became of the equipment of tills sawmill half mile up Spencer Creek from the Klam is unknown_Editor). ath River. This operation was very well "An unusual example of the pioneer written up in the July, 1928, issue of The spirit was Daniel Gordon, born in New Timberman, which is here quoted: York in 1810. While still in his teens, Dan 'The manufacrure of lumber in the moved ro New Orleans and from there went great Klamath Basin, in south central Ore to Missouri in 1831. In 1852 he crossed gon, had its inception in the late sixties. the plains sertling in Scott Valley near Available records indicate that the first saw Yreka, California, where he built (at a cost mill to be built in the Basin wa5 erected by of $13,000_ Editor) and operated the first Naylor & Hockenouse, on Spencer Creek, sawmill in that district. In 1873 he moved 18 miles west of Klamath Falls, in 1869 ro Klamath County and became known as (The History of Central Oregon's version 'G rand-pap' Gordon aFrer becoming a has already been given_Editor). It was a grandfather by his son, also named Dan. 'muley' rig, the sawing unit being similar to "'Grand-pap' built the second private a gang saw, and was propelled by water sawmill in the county in 1874 (The Yreka power. This mill could cut about 1,200 Union of June 19, 1875 states: The saw feet of lumber per day. The carriage had mill bwlt by Walton Sherman and Gordon no head blocks, the log being set up on the near Willttle's Ferry, cut her first plank on carriage by means of a pinch bar. The pow the 11th instant. She is a success._Editor) er had to be shut off from the mill while on the south side of the Klamath River,

LOG DUMP AT KENO IN 1912 Left to right: Manley Puckett, Bill Halley, ·······-- Johnson, ··-···- Morgan. Thomaa McCormick, Prent Puckett and unknown. -courtesy Doug Puckett 65. about one mile west of Keno, on probably informed that Thomas McCormick has the best site south of Linkvi11e. It was a sash received from Uncle Sam S 10,000 for the mill powered by an overshot water wheel right of way through his place for the and had a capacity of 1,500 feet per day. cut that is co lower Klamath River and will In 1875 or 1876 he sold it co his son-in destroy all his water power that runs the law, Newcon W. Prar, who in turn sold it sawmill. This looks as though Uncle Sam co Charles Withrow three or four years meant ro do some work here in the near Iacer. R. E. Dusenberry, in 1888, bought furure. the mill from Withrow. February 17, 1910-Thomas McCormick ''Sometime before 1880 Cooper Brothers, has sold everything, mill, power plant, land, Herbert E. and Elbert H., built a circular timber, power sire, Canby and landing to mill, run by a water turbine, on the north Mr. Harris of Butte Falls, for $18,000. side of the Klamath River near Cooper April4, 1910-Mr. Harris has purchased Stage Station, about three miles wesc of !he sawmill an will move co the Long Lake Keno. This mill could cur three or four mill site at Snowgoose. Mrs. Snowgoose thousand feet of lumber per day, but was sold co Harris. greatly handicapped by insufficient water "In 1895 John Connolly built a sash because of a long, small canal. mill on the Klamath River, at his ranch In 1888 Herbett Cooper and R. E. about a mile down river from the present Dusenberry went into partnership and highway crossing west of Keno. ( This site moved the better equipment of the Cooper was just above the present John C. Boyle mill to the better site of Dusenberry's pur Dam on the south or ease side of Klamath chase. They borrowed a fairly large amount River and is now under water_ Editor. ) of money from Dan Van Brimmer, on notes Since the water was insufficient, chis mill secured by a mortgage, to build the mill co sawed only 400 or 500 feet per day. He a capaciry of 10,000 feet per day. As they ceased operation in 1897, when he took were unable to pay the notes when due, Van Henry Snowgoose into partnership. They Brimmer foreclosed and took the properq. built a new turbine driven circular mill of In 1892 Van Brimmer then sold w Thomas 3,000 feet capaciry on the same site, which McCormick, who ran the mill unci! 1909. was known as the Snowgoose and Connolly The machinery was afterward moved to mill. The difference in capaciry of these Sheep Mountain, fifteen miles south of :wo mills indicates the greater efficiency of Dorris, California." a turbine driven circular mill over a sash Additional references to the McCormick mill run by a warer wheel. Mr. Connolly mill have been found in the old Klamath dropped out of the partnership in 1899, and Republican files and are given here under Mr. Snowgoose operated until 1903. Snow their several dates: goose latec sold the mill co Alfonzo Kinney, Junej 21, 190~rles Woodard, of who moved it in 1906 co the Snowgoose Keno, who has a woodwork and blacksmith ranch, one-half mile south of Keno. He shop ac that place, has jusc built and com used a traction engine for power, increasing pleted a set of 10-foot wheels for Thomas capacity to 7,000 feet per day. The mill ran McCormick, the saw-mill man. It is the for only one year, as it burned in 1907. first set of wheels of that large size chat Research in the files of the Republican hes ever been built in the state. reveals a somewhat different and more com August 22, 1901-Brice McCormick was plete version as recorded below: thrown over the large logging wheels near September 3, 1903-The sawmill be Keno yesterday and received some severe longing to Jack Connolly, about eight miles bruises on his head and neck and shoulders. below Keno, was burned to the ground Forrunacely on bones were broken. Dr. Thursday night, together with about Reames was called. 200,000 feet of lumber. The fire was December 27, 1906--We are reliably incendiary in origin and had been started 66. in five different places. timber to saw in cheir Keno milL Mr. Connolly wirh the assistance of his 2. The sawmill belinging to the Long family stopped the fire from SPreading to Lake Lumber Company located about one che timber, by carrying water from che haJf mile from Keno, was burned to the river in pails. ground at 1 o'clock this morning. Some October 25, 1906-Mr. Hitchcock of of the men who were employed there visited Long Lake moves to che Kinney mill at the mill about 10 o'clock Tuesday everung, Keno, having rented same for four years. on 'their rerurn from church. At that hour Will complete the mill and begin sawing notrung unusual was in evidence and no in che near furure. ''Blockey" is a good sign of fire visible. When the fire was sawyer. discovered the buiJdjng was enveloped in December 27, 1906-John Hitchcoclc flames and was soon burned to the ground. has installed a chree·gang edger in the The origin of the fire is a mystery. There Kinney sawmill. was no insurance. In the meantime, "About 1905 William According to the Evening Herald of Huson and Roscoe Cantrall built a circular April 11, 1908, the Long Lake firm after miU of about 20,000 feet capacity on Long securing a contract wich the government Lake and operated under che name of the flume contractors to furnish approximately Long Lake Lumber Company. In 1908 the 750,000 feet of lumber for the government mill was moved to Shippingcon, being the canal south of Henley, then leased the Odes first sawmill on the Upper Klamath Lake. sa sawmill on Upper Klamath Lake. In The plant was sold and dismanded in addition they also secured a contraa with 1915." the government for 61 7,000 feet for boxjng The Republican further reports on April •the canal below the flume. Their faaory 4, 1907 that-''rhe Long Lake Lumber Company purchased from Mr. Kinney cwo in Klamath Falls was now shipping cwo months ago" the mill at Keno. Shortly cars of box per week to San Francisco. thereafter they added a new 22 horse power Previously this merchandise had been boiler and engine to the mill and by April shipped by Mcintire freight team to Dorris, 18th, had 200,000 feet of logs cue for the the end of the rails, but hereafter by boat Keno mill to Teeter's Landing and thence by freight Probably in late 1905 or early 1906, the team. Long Lake Lumber Company built a sash In addition to the sawmill enterprises and door factory on the government canal around Keno, the neighborhood also became near 11th Street in Klamath Falls. This a logging center for cwo Klamath Falls saw factory, rogerbec with the building boom mills, The Ackley Brothers mill, started in caused by the promjsed approach of the October, 1904, and the Moore Brothers mill railroad from Weed, brought on an excep relocated on Lake Ewauna in 1906, and tionally heavy demand for lumber from the started about June 20th of that year. Both Long Lake firm and caused them to acquire firms established logging camps or dealt the Kinney mill. One order alone, that from with private contractors. These logs were G. W. Brooks of the new townsite of Mid dumped into Klaamth fuvec both below and land, called for 200,000 feet. with an op above the bridge at Keno and at the Snow tion for an additional 300,000 feet. goose and Teeter's Landings, then formed Difficulties were also encountered, wit· into rafts to be towed to Klamath Falls. ness cwo Republican news articles, both Ackley logging operations were in charge printed in the March 12th issue: of John Ackley, and under him were con 1. The time of the contract for the sale tractors Walla Preston, Harry Wall and of Mrs. Pratt's timber ro A. Kinney has Bowey. Jeff Howard handled the teams, expired, and now the Long Lake Lumber which in 1906 cost $900.00 for four heavy Company will have to look elsewhere for draft horses. At least one Set of rugh wheels 67. THE ACKLEY BROTHERS LOG CHUTE From the hills south of Keno around the 1905-1910 period. -courtesy Doug Puckett were in use by early 1907. Log chutes were Big Basin, a subsidiary of Klamath De used to convey the logs from the higher and velopment Company began logging opera steeper hills to the west, down to Porcu tions in the Keno area as early as June, pine Flats. By 1912 a gravity railroad 1912. John Stewart was one conuactor for was in use tO haul the logs to the river them. They logged in the Keno vidnity just east of the Keno graveyard. This rail a,r least unril 1914. road probably extended some two miles to Rafts of logs were srill being towed up the southward at the most, to Ackley's Klamath ltiver from Keno by Puckett and logging camp of 20 or more men. A cook Scherer as late as 1950. house 14 x 40 feet was loca

BREAKING SOD ON THE F. T. NELSON (NOW CALMES) RANCH Between Keno and Worden iD 1914. -courtesy Mrs. C. E. Burton Early Recollections . . . By LAURA NELSON BURTON IIIIUIIIIUIIIIIIIIIHUIUIJJllliiiUUIIIIIIIliiiiiiiJHIIIIIJHIIIIIIUUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIHUIIIIIIlUIIIJUJIIIIIIHLUIIIHIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIUIIIIIJIHIIIIIIIJIIIIUIIIIII As interpreted by Heber Radcliffe from a three hour tape. In May, 1898 my father and mother, down on the station floor while our parents Frank T. and Nellie Nelson with their went out to buy food. When they returned, three children, Laura (myself) 9, Roy 6, the dog and sleeping children were sur and Grant 3, left Riverside, California for rounded by a circle of curious people. a ranch near Keno, Oregon. My fa~ther On the second day the train sropped a1t had been up earlier and purchased a thou Ager where Mr. Sly met us with a lumber sand acres from Mr. Sly. Our first stop on wagon and rwo heavy horses which walked the uip was the .railroad depot in Sacra all the way co Shovel Creek, where we mento. Guarded by a big black German spent the night at the hotel. This was quite blood hound, we three children were bedded a change for mother who had had a light 70. team and fringed surrey. The next mornin& an ox and a horse. His two teen age daugh. with a lunch of biscuits and fried pork ters were pi~ching up the bay. Next year furnished by the hotel, we drove up the we transferred to the Keno school where we Topsy Grade. Mr. Sly took the fork going had Miss Anna Johnson, as teacher. Our to Picard (now Dorris) because it was the best loved teacher here was Miss Annie betcer road. But with no store at Picard, Applegate. eldest daughter of Captain 0. C. we were unable to buy supplies. We arrive(\ Applegate. When I went alone to Klamath at the ranch about dark. Falls co high school, the school was held The ranch had a good bouse, the best upsr:ai.rs in the Fireman's Hall, bur where in the area but no furniture except a stove. that was, I do not know (The present Mother had some flour and some baking northwest corner of the Coun house block powder and :M.r. Sly brought over a bam, _ Editor.). Mother cold me to go down some pocaroes and milk. Nothing ever town ar the proper time and if I saw casted as good as chat did. Mother bad a high school student, to follow her. I did brought some "straw ricks" which we filled so and was met at the door by the teacher, with rye bay for mattesses. Late.r Grand· Mr. John Swan. There were about thirty father came up and made fu.rniture. The students in ·the four classes. I believe Carlyle only furniture chat was shipped from River· and Vincent Yaden were in school then. side was an organ and rhree rocking chairs. Mid-year the school moved to the new high Mother played the organ and on Sundays school on the hj!l, Washington Street, the Slys and other neighbors came in and between 5th and 6th streets. sang hymns. While in High School, I invited the The river overflowed much of the ranch school to have a picnic in our grove. They from winter till early summer. There were chartered the Klamath and came down very many song birds. The big honker the river. Mother fried locs of chicXeo and geese nested in the tule bunches and we made jelly rolls. The edi(or of the paper caught many of the young before they came down a11d gave rhe picnic a good could fly. They made delicious eating. The write-up. He said there must have been a ranch was covered wi•th the bones of cattle, wash-tub of fried chicken. Everyone had killed by eating the poinsonous wild par· such a good time that they came down a snips. Father dug these all out so that second time. cattle could feed there safely. Then he Due to ill health, I left high school in the was able to malce the ranch a feeding middle of my sophomore year and went to station on the Fort Klamath, Gazelle and Riverside, California, where I sr.ayed with an Yreka catle uail and bring in some money. aunt and studied music. Roy graduated He got the scan of his ranch herd by buying from high school in 1911 and went to a few calves near Dorris. He went alone Southern Methodist College. Grant went with his wagon to get them. On the return to the Academy. They went just the one the rough road alarmed the calves, so year and Father sold two hundred head of he tied the reins to the seat, tended the cattle for two thousand dollars. Both boys calves, and let the team follow the road enlisted in the Armed Forces during the home. The calves grew well on a boiled 1st World War but neither got over-seas. wheat and milk diet and were the start of Before the railroad came in 1909, we a fine herd. went to Klamath Falls from Teeter's Land· The first year we went tbree miles toward ing on the good ship "Klamath". A srage Worden to school at the Bonita Grove ran from Pokegama to Teeter's Landing School-a lime board building, with fifteen where at one time the Adys fed some of children and a young teacher, Miss Anna the stage passengers. They bad two little Rosrrum. We crossed Mr. Teerer's land when going to schooL One day we saw him girls who would watch for the stage from on a hay-wagon pulled by a strange pair, the crest of the hill and would signal their 71. Mother when they saw it coming. She could o~ten held in the hall over the store. Mr. then get the dinner on. Soowgoose asked the blessing.

When we wem to school in Keno, we Clayton Burton came west when eighteen rode horse-back and carried a gunny-sack rears old and later took up a timber claim of hay for the horses' lunch. On our way at Buck Lake and helped men locate claims. we passed the cabin of Wesley Cole, who On his claim he had a little post office lcidded us abour the "big" amount of hay called ''Glen Lily" or "Lily Glen." (Prob we took for the horse. He was a veteran ably was officially known as Swasdka.._Ed of three wars, Civil War, Mexican War, and itor) . He came to Keno to raise hay and Modoc War. He had a long gray beard my mother invited him to Easter dinner. and hair and drove a lumber wagon with He later lived at Teeter's Landing and rwo gray horses whom he guided by voice logged timber. alone. There were a number of old timers After knowrung him for three years, he in Keno. Old Mr. Doten made shingles by and I were married at the 191 7 Thanks hand. Also be had forceps and pulled giving Dinner in the Keno Hall. Captain teem. When Roy came to him to have a Ball from Klamath Fals brought the Metho tooth pulled, he was our in the field. He dist minister and a number of guests down sent Roy to the house to get the forceps, the river on the "Buffalo." The young placed Roy in an old chair and pulled the couple escaped a small-town "Shivaree" tooth without even washing his hands. Roy dut evening due to the heavy rain and survived. snow. Father gave each of his children 160 There was no church in Keno, but the acres when they were married and I picked school teachers usually held a Sunday school. the land at "Fish Point" named by my Old Mr. Padgetr was active in the Sunday Grandfather who enjoyed fishing there on School. Mr. Snowgoose, a well educated the river. We lived there a number of man for the day was Jusrice of the Peace. years and Rosalee, our oldest daughter was A Community Thanksgiving dinner was born there.

CLAYTON BURTON HAULING LOGS To Teeter's Landing for Ac:kley'a mill on Lake Ewauna. -<:curtesy Mrs. E. E. Burton 72. CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF The Keno Electrical Power Plants . . . lllltlllllllllllllllllllllltllllUIIUIIUIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIflllllliLIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIliiiiiiJIIIIIIIIIUUIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIHtllllllllltlllllttiiiiiUIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUtllllltllllll Klamath Repu.blican, May 9, 1907: PION EER KENO POWER PLANT Robert Baldwin is assisting T homas Me- WAS NEAR THIS SITE COrmack in putting in his electric light The rack and pinion mechanism preserved plant, here was used w operate a headgare ar the pioneer Keno Hydroelectric plant built Klamath Republica11, May 30, 1907: in 1913 by B. E., G. G. and J. W. Kerns. The electric light planr is progressing rapid It was located 1,700 feet downstream from ly. All the poles are ser and the wires pur in the present river control dam. A small place, bur rhe dynamo has nor yer arrived. diversion dam and canal supplied warer to Klamath Republican, September 26, the 100-kilowarr installation. Ill output 1907: The electric ball at Keno friday was used ro operare pumps for marsh drain (20th) was a g.reat success. Ir was given age and the irrigarion of higher lands, rhus in commemoration of the completion of the bringing a large acreage into agricultural McCormick electric plant inro that rown. producrion. Distribution lines supplied A special excursion was run from rhis city power to homes and farms in Keno and and was quire well patronized. viciniry. First known as Kerns Brothers Power Company, the enterprise was reor Morning Express, December, 1909: By ganized in 1914 as Keno Power Comapny. C. S. Moore, " ... There is a small plant ar In 1920, an operating lease agreement was Klamath Agency belinging ro the Indian made with The California Oregon Power Department, used for lighting the Agency Campany. Generating capaciry was in buildings, and another at Keno of about the creased and in 1927 the properties became same capaciry, used for lighting the town parr of rhe Copco sysyrem. The Keno plant of Keno:· (This plant was located adja remained in operation until ir was recired cent ro the old McCormick sawmill, down from service in the early 1950's. The Copco stream about one and one-half miles from system was consolidated wirh Pacific Power Keno. The site was approximately ar the & Light Company in 1961 and the present south end of the new river control dam... _ control dam built in 1966. This marker Editor ) given by Pacific Power & Light Company in Following is the text ro be on a marker recognition of the contribution made by the near the new River control dam downstream Kerns family to the development of the from Keno. I.r will be dedicated June 17, fertile Klamath basin. 1969. Klamath County Historical Society

Worden, Ivan and Calor • • • IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIJUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIII By DEVERE HELFRICH In the beginning, CoL John F. Miller, Probably during the summer or fall of with his three sons, John H., William Y., 1888, a school, Bonita Grove, was estab and Warren settled on a srock ranch about lished so rhar, after three months, according ooe mile southwest of present day Worden. ro the then existing law, county funds The ranch was later owned by a man named could be secured. Bonita Grove was ac Ringer, afrer which ir became known as cepted inro the county system, February 8, the old Downing ranch, near the border of 1889. The school house stood about one wet-weather Miller Lake. and one-half miles due north of present n. day W ordeo on the west side of the Keno chased from Frank H. Downing for $3.50 road. per thousand. We do know that by March Worden itself is siruated some six miles 2, 1915, Downing was suing North and south of Keno on Highway #97, and the Newhart for breach of contract to recover Southern Pacific Railroad, both leading $1,353.00 due him for timber. Therefore south from Klamath Falls. Laid out about it is obvious that the starting of the mill 1907 or 1908 by William S. Worden, a must be dated some rime before 1915. resident of Klamath Falls and right-of-way Irivng E. Kesterson leased this mill about agent for the railroad, as it was being con· April 17, 19 17, possibly from ]. W. Sie structed northward from Weed, Worden mens of the First Trust and Savings Bank may have flourished for a very short time of Klama·th Falls, who seems tO have loaned as end of the rails, when Teeter's Landing money on the mill at some past date. In was at the beighth of its freight transfer 1918, Ivan Kesterson joined his brother aocivicies. in the enterprise. On May 13, 1909 (Klamath Republi According to newspaper accounts of me can) it was announced that Harvey & day, this mill seems co have had a string Adams, of Grants Pass, had secured a saw of bad luck and accidents throughout its mill site on the R. W. Tower properry at existence. On May 17, 1919, Ray Chase, the mouth of Bear Valley about one mile foreman, was hit by a log and suffered a from the railroad and one and a half miles broken cheek bone. On May 8, 1920, from the Downing ranch. George E. Chase, 34, a brother of Ray's, On July 29, 1909 ( Republican) it was was crushed and killed by a log while driv further announced that 0. P. Harvey would ing a truck. On June 30, 1920, Uriah P. begin construction of a 25,000 foot capaci Coonrod, 33, was killed by a Jog rolling ty sawmill about September 1st, at Gordon from a truck. Springs. The mill woud give employment to Then, on September 17, 1920 the miJI about thirry men and eight or ten teams. and entire plant was deruoyed by fire at Mr. Harvey had "some rime past, purchased an estimated loss of $250,000. The fire the timber claims of J. Padgett, Charlie had been caused by a live wire of the Nelson, R. W. Tower and Mr. Gordon." California-Oregon Power Co. line, which It was understood the entire cut of the mill had been blown down by a severe wind, was contracted for box stock. It was also on-to the lumber which was piled beneath thought a spur would be run from the main the power lines. Losses included the m.ill railroad. at $75,000, lumber at $150,000, the I. E. On October 3 1, 191 0 a post office was Kesterson home, 8 workers corcages, 9 established at Worden, with Henry L. bunk houses, 90,000 feet of Jogs, two large Veit as postmaster. wa,ter towers, a lighting plant, three flat Originally Worden was siruated north cars, one box car, boarding house and office. of the railroad and West of me present day Power was disrupted and local plants in Paint Rock Cedar Company sawmill. The Klamam Falls had no power for a rime. On main business building was Jack Chapman's September 30, 1920, $189,000 in insurance two-story general merchandise store, down was paid ro rhe company. stairs, and hall upstairs. It was in this On March 31, 1921 (Evening Herald ) building that the post office was siruared. it was reported that I. E. Kesterson had Several postmasters served in this location. sued Copco for $157,1 75.1 3 and had been The town also boasted of a school house and paid $83,628.59. Another suit Aug. 8, railroad depot. 1922 for $275,000 was thrown out, the Next, the exact date is unknown, but cause being "not sufficient faces." sometime before 1915, North and Newhart On August 1, 1921, Percival J. Bowling established a small sawmill about two miles became the postmaster at Worden. The southwest of Worden, cutting timber pur· office was discontinued October 15, 1926 _ 74. to Midland, Oregon at about the time the posing grain elevators. The Paint Roclc new cur-off highway across the marsh be Cedar Company, a Stockton, California rween the rwo places, was completed. The corporation wirh William Parrish, Jr., Presi road by-passed the Keno-Worden road, dent, started a sawmill near the original over which for so many years, much of sire of Worden in August, 1965. They Klamath County's north-south bound traf cut cedar pencil stock only, most of which fic passed. is shipped to California to be processed. A pose office called Ivan was opened on It is an all electric mill and cuts from November 18, 1926, with Andrew J. Hanan forry to sixcy thousand feet per day. as posunascer. Why a pose office of Ivan At about the same ome Worden was was opened at this time, the mill having laid out, a railroad station called Calor was burned some time before, and where located established just north of the California have not been ascertained. The name of Oregon state line. A tall, slender poplar the post office and siding of Ivan, accord tree is all that marks the sire today. This ing to Oregon Geographic Names, pages original Calor station should not be con 321-22, was named for Ivan Daniels, not fused with later day Cal-Ore Tavern siru Ivan Kesterson. Daniels was a railroad aced -co the east of Highway #97, just in employee, killed in a nearby tunnel. Irving side California. E. Kesterson in June, 1948, agreed the sta A Calor post office was opened June 15, tion and office were not named for his 1918 with Charles E. Cross as posanaster brother. InStead, the station was named and was closed out to Dorris, California on first, for Daniels, and second, the office December 31, 1930. It was located in was named somewhat later for the station. California, several miles to the southeast Percival ]. Bowling became the second of Calor the railroad sttcion. The office postmaster of Ivan on March 28, 1928, to was in the home of Charles Cross, which be succeeded by Mrs. H . Gray on October is presently the home of Vernon Cross. 15, 1929. The location of these various George Otco carried mail to this post office offices is unknown at present. However, at one rime. (Informacion from Ethel when the Grays arrived on the scene, the Owens, April 9, 1969.) road had been changed to the south side To the west of Highway #97, about one of the railroad, so the Gays built on the half miJe, at the state line, is a small draw site of the present score, which some years leading down from the higher timbered later burned, bur has been rebuilt on the foothills of Hamaker Mountain. Up this same sire. Ivan was discontinued March 12, draw once ran the first freight road from 1930. On July 22, 1941 Mrs. Daisy Gor Shasta Valley and California poincs as far don became poscmasrer to soon be followed south as Redding. It was in exiscance be by Howard Lore Davis on October 3, 1941, fore the Topsy Grade road and led over who in turn was replaced by Mrs. Amy M. Ball Mountain, through Butte Valley an

HAULING LUMBER BY TEAM From one of the acrwmilla near Worden. -courtesy Ethel Owen 76. THE RAILROAD STATION OF CALOR Located juat inaide Oregon. Miller Lake in the background. -courtesy Ed Cross

THE OLD GRANERY AT THE STATE LINE RANCH FREIGHT STOP Aa it loolca today. -Helen Helfrich photo sawmills at different times in the teens. side, is the famous old Hole in the Ground The La Franierre sawmill was about one Ranch, also a one time stopping place for mile up the draw and the Wm. S. Fish freighters over the Ball Mountain road to sawmill about one-founh mile farther Linkville. We k.now ic was in exismnce north. W esc of the State Line Ranch about as earl yas the Modoc War. It can be seen twO miles and also in Oregon, was a saw coday, over the hill noccheast of Dorris, mill run by a man named Knox, and a California and below the highway grade mile farther on, one run by Wise and Max which crosses over the hill tunneled through well. by the railroad. Some of the Ocey family In the same valley as the State Line lived there at one time, but by whom or Ranch, but on the opposite and southwest when settled is unknown at this writing. 77. TOMMY ANDERSON (left) AND MILDRED SLY BOATING On Salt Lake or Indian Tom Lake. -courtesy Ethel Owen As Told to Me by Emma Otey . . . IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIJHffiiiiiiiiiiiiUIIItlllllllllllllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiUIIItllllllltiiiiiiiUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIItllllllllflllllllnllllllflllllllllllllllllllllllllll May 5, 1948- Recorded by Devere H elfrich I was born in Missouri in 1876 and location of the emigrant road at the state probably came to the Klamath country in line when he built the rock walls for feo.ces about 1887 to Jive with my sister. Dan around his pastures and aused

As Written to Me by Mrs. Gertrude Moore ... IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIUUUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJIIIUIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIUUIIIIJJHIIIIJJUUIIIIIUIIIUIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII October 18, 1968- to Devere H elfrich I came to Dorris io 1913. My mother, Shady Dell school, then grades four, five Martie Tremaine, and I came from Tehama and six in Dorris, and was the Principal of County, California and settled on a little Dorris schools for four years and caught homestead about two miles south of Dorris. the seventh and eigth grades. I had taught school in Tehama four years In 1917 I married Harry Moore who before coming to Dorris, then Macdoel for was homesteading east of Dorris. I also several years, riding horseback eight miles taugh{ Tule Lake schools for 'tWO years and ro teach there. I would start at six o'clock down the Klamath River for four yean. In in rhe morning for school and would get all I taught thirty nine years. We still re home at six in the evening. Later I

SLEIGH BIDING NEAR THE CALIFORNIA-OREGON STATE LINE -courtesy Ethel Owen As Written to Me by Ethel G. Owen tUIUUIIIUIIIUIIIIIItllllllllllliUIIIIIIIIIItiiiiUIIIUIIIIIII_IIIIItltlllllllltlllllllllll1111ttiiiiiiUtlllliiiUiniiiiiUUUIIIIUUIIIIUJUUIIIIII111111111tllnlllllllfltll.. llllflllf1111111111HIIIIIIDIIWint1UIII O ctober 20, 1968 - to Devere H elfrich My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Sly were Josephine Sly, Mildred McDowell, Ethel married at the home of Isaac P. Stimson Owen, and Agnes Swigart. My father passed (Mother·s maiden name was Effie Marcia away in 1936, and mocher in 1939. Stimson) on January 2, 1887 near Med Mrs. C. R. London, who was the early ford, Oregon. They farmed there for a time day docror in the community, was present then moved co a ranch near Keno. My aunc, when I was born at Teecer·s Landing near Mrs. R. L. Oliver, was Posrmisuess in Pic Keno. ard, then moved ro Dorris and was the first In 1921 1 was married ro Charles Owen Posrmisuess rhere. and living at the State Line Ranch with In November 1906 the Slys purchased my folks, we sold milk in Dorris, delivered the State Line Ranch from Mr. & Mrs. John with team and wagon, and in the winter at Graffis of Phoenix, Oregon, and the Slys times, with team and sled. Mr. Oliver farmed and raised srock until their deaths. "-"<>rked at a mill in Dorris, and after 17 In the first years on the ranch, besides years of his working and both of us milking farmi ng and raising srock cattle, my father cows, we decided co quit milking and grad drove freight wagons from Ager co Keno. ually built up a herd of beef cattle. We Other freight teams made the ranch their have chree children, all of whom attended regular scop-over for board, lodging and Burre Valley Schools in Dorris. Also we care for their reams. had six grandchildren who atrended Dorris schools, that being three generations in The railroad was being built to Dorris one family attending Dorris schools. Mr. and through the ranch, and the Southern Owen passed away in December of 1965, Pacific docror and family boarded at the and was buried the same day that the ranch, also the PaylilaS(er and his wife Southern Pacific crains used the new align boarded and roomed there. ment of their tracks, past the Owen's Stare My folks had eight children, Mabel Ta· Line Ranch for the first time (December ber, Leroy Sly, Dora Sly, Lortie Miller, 23 ). 80. As Written to Me By Elma Chapman Lewin Jones • • IIIIIIIHUIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIJHIIIIUII IIIIUUIIIIIIIJIIIIIUIJ II IIIJII II UIIII III IIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIII IIII111111111 11 111111 11 11111111111111111UIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIUUIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIII IIIIIII October 18, 1968- to Devere H elfrich

My farner, Henry F. Chapman and his father sent me to Picard to get Mrs. London, son Fred, came west on an emigrant train a nurse from Philadelphia, Penn. that was from Missouri, in 1883, to Redding, Cali as good as any doctor. The snow was real deep and I went in a sleigh, and never got fornia and by stage to Butte Valley. He back in time. I was fifteen years old at then married my mother Martha Stallsworth the time and it was quite an ordeaL My in 1886. He homesteaded the northeastern father was hauling freight then. We had parr of where Dorris now stands. cows to milk, hogs to feed and chickens to look after, besides all the kids and the The first Post Office that I can remem little baby, who would have colic at night. b~r, was Corbett, run by a Porrugee named My sister, two years younger than I, and Manuel Cory, along with some staples myself had all the work to do. Sometimes of groceries. Located across the road from my half brother Fred Gha.pman would where me Star Inn is. come to stay with us and sort of boss us around, but he wouldn't stay long at a 1889 was called rhe hard winter, in rime, as he said it was roo lonesome for which many stock died. My father worked him. He had his leg ampu-tated and was for Presley Dorris and walked home on crutches at the time, then later he got through snow on skis with a sack of straw an artificial leg. on his back for his cow, that winter. I still can't figure how my father man· One day my uncle Charlie Stallswortb aged to keep us all together, we never came ro tell us co move •ro another location seemed to wane for anything. He had good credit at the stores, we could get any higher, as there was surely a flood coming. thing we wanted at any of the stores. 1 We moved to a log cabin on the hillside made all of our domes and underwear from east of our place. When it dried up we flour sacks w1th the Anchor Brand on the moved back in me house, there were high seat. It would take us all day to wash clothes once a week and a half a day to water marks in the house about a foot bathe aU of them and ourselves on a Satur high and grass in the yard about four day afternoon. inches. Bernard N. Lewin and I were married in Three girls were born mere, Elma, Ida 1907. We had rwo girls, Lena and Goldie. and Christine. In the early years of Worden, the family They sold the homestead in 1895 and lived on a ranch near there and the children moved to Pokegama, now called Klamarhon, attended the Bonita Grove school, where and lived the.re about a year and a half. Julia Rodschou and her sister Annie They bought me mortgage from Jimmie Rodschou taught for a few years. l..aJter George on the Fred Kingery place which they attended the Worden School until it was torn down and later all the chldren had is now called me Old Chapman Ranch. to go to Keno school. T here were four more children born, Bill, My famer Henry F. Chapman had a Bessie, Jack and Evelyn. My mother died gene.ral merchandise store at Worden for in 1903 when the last one was born. My several years. 81. Butte Valley and Vicinity • • UIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUI_IIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllltllllllllllllllltlllllllltlllltlltllllltllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllt By DEVERE HELFRICH The Applegate Trail of 1846 entered hill to the wesrward, lay Butte Valley in Oregon northweSt of Bloody Point or at which are now si,tuated the towns of Dor a point near Hatfield on the California ris, McDoel, Mr. Hebron and Bray. This Oregon Stare Line north of the present town valley is watered principally by Butte of Tulelake. Continuing wesrward, it paral Creek which heads on rhe northeastern leled Lost River to the Old Stone Bridge slopes of Mount Shasta. It runs, first norrh Emigrant Crossing. Then after leaving the eastward, then nol'thward to either sink or crossing, the trail passed our of Oregon due end up in Meiss Lake. Burre VaJley extends south of Merrill, to dip into Siskiyou Coun northward to the California-Oregon line. ry, California. It circled south of Lower Here many early day stockmen settled. Klamath Lake, passed what later became Following in part is an article written Laird's Landing, me Fairchild and Dorris by this writer and pubHshed in rhe "Siskiyou ranches, to again enter Oregon near Indian Pioneer" of 195 7: Tom or Sal~t Lake at the Oregon-Cali.fornia The first authentic record we have of line 2080 feet east of the center of present whites in the Butte Valley viciniry was in Highway #97. The original trail men the winter of 1826-27 when the Hudson's skirred to me westward of Miller Lake, Bay Company fur trappers under Peter mrough what is now Worden and very Skene Ogden, in a period of four and one closely approximated the present road co half months, compl&ely encircled it. Later Keno, where it crossed the Klamath River evidence indicates that some of these trap about a mile below rown. Continuing west pers used the Military Pass-Sheep Rock ward it corssed Spencer Creek about a quar Trail, and although it is nor mentioned in ter of a mile above its mouth, and keeping Ogden's journal, it is almost certain some ,tightly northwestward, reached Grubb members saw and even entered Butte Valley Spring where it proceeded to climb Hayden co explore and trap. Mountain and then westward across the During the next quarter of a cenrury mountains into Rogue River Valley via Burre Valley witnessed a number of near the Green Springs summit. misses closely relaJted to irs later trail his The second and followin1: l ears the rory. Applegate Trail turned from the original 1. Hudson's Bay Company trappers un trail near the old Downing Ranch, south· der Alexander Roderick McLeod in 1829- west of Worden, to climb to the sourh end 30, lost all their horses, and abandoned their of Bear Valley, concinue through it to drop furs and equipment near Bartle, used the down ro what later became the Chase Stage Military Pass-Sheep Rock TraiL Sration and ford the Klamath River about 2. Hudson's Bay Company trappers un one-half mile above the bridge on Highway der John Work in September, 1833, used #66, some five miles west of Keno, where the same route norm. it again joined up with the original trail, 3. Hudson's Bay Company trappers un at what later became known as the Anderson der Michel La Framboise, just prior to Ranch Meadows. Work, probably opened up the Sacramento Lying adjacent to, and crossed by the River Trail from Oregon to California. Applegate Traii in California were duee 4. Thereafter, until

1862 whereby he received lands from rhe Little Shasta River and terminating at a Modocs . . . By the rerms of rhe agreemenr large ded pine tree in Bure creek valley, rhe ririe of Butte Creek was conveyed to four miles above Ball's cabbin, one and a Fairchild with rhe privilege of ranging his half miles west of Bute creek and six miles carrie srill farrher east, and also, the Indians west of the emigrant Road leading to the were to aid him in rhe annual roundup. In Klamath Lakes. The enrire distance by the retuiD Fairchild gave rhe Modocs money, survey is rwenry and a half miles, on a strate cattle and horses ro rhe value of about $300. line from poinr to point is fifteen and three He refused ro give them guns and aromuni· fourths miles. The grade is easy and narural. cion. The ground is generally good, though some "In 1865 a second rreary exrended Fair· is inclined ro be swampy; more again is child's range farther easrward, and in 1866 inclined to be sandy bur neirher in suffi· a third rreary gave Fairchild and Pres Dor· cienr quanriry ro prove an obstacle ro the ris title ro Hor Creek, Cortoowood Creek coostrucrion of a good wagon road. and the Lost River country, excepr for a Yreka._May 8, 1864 rract of land six miles square ar rhe mouth A. M. Jones, Surveyor." of Lose River, which Caprain Jack reserved The road cl1Us described is the old Ba.ll as his home." Mounraio road, and from details on the It has also been written that "in 1862, map, there muse have been a road in exis Ball Brothers and P. A. Dorris settled in rence there before rhe survey was made, or near Burre Valley." This last statement which would mean ir was there by 1863 or is in pan substantiated by a map filed with before. "The old sawmill" was the old the Siskiyou Counry Clerk, H. A. Rodgers, Breed Mill on Little Shasta ar Cold Springs on May 10, 1864. Explanation on the map on the northeast side of Table Rock. "Cle states: land and McMurrin's Sawmill" some five "Plat and field notes of a wagon road and one-half scale miles farther upsrream, Survey co=encing at rhe old sawmill on would probably be the old mill sire where 85. THE OLD BRIMMER FORT IN 1948 The atructuro wa• huilt over Willow Creek ahout 1864 and ia now located at tho Modoc Lava Beds National Monument. Van Brimmer Mountain or as now known. Mount Dome in the background. -Devere Helfrich photo the present Forest Service Guard Station ranch in 1870; and lastly the old Hole in stands. Ocher derails of the map are "Bulls the Ground ranch over the hill northeast Meadows;" "Musketo Valley," located on of Dorris sometime before the Modoc War what is now Horsethief Creek; "a little in 1872. The Otey family once lived there. Creek," now Prather Creek; "Little Lake," Roads undoubtedly crisscrossed the valley now Orr Lake; "Bute Creek" and "Bute to all these ranches by that time. Greek Valley." "Balls Ranch" is correctly Linkville, now Klamam Falls, was found located. ed in 1867. For over 30 years patt of irs One further detail is of interest. The freight was brought in over the old Ball road, instead of entering Butte Valley as Mountain road, first from Red Bluff, head does the present Ball Mountain road, of river navigation, larer from Redding crossed the ridge some five miles farther and even Montague after the railroad had south and entered the valley at about the reached chose places. The old freight road same location as does present Highway #97. went straight across Butte Valley from the The map extends no farther east than Butte Ball ranch to the little knolls near Macdoel, Creek. roundhouse, machine ton; and the boat rate from Teerers' land shops, warehouses, switch-yards and a power ing to Klamath FaUs, S 1.25 per ron. plant. In 1956 the railroad and rolling stock were sold to a firm in Texas, and Also about 1906 or 1907 a line of com during the summer and fall were being municarioo was established which passed torn up and wrecked for the metal. along the eastern boundary of Butte Valley. lr consisted of three links and led from With rhe approach of rhe railroad set Klamath Falls to Upton (near present day rlers flocked in and, as has been menti~ned, Mount Shasta City) on the main Southern innumerable sawmills sprang up. The Pacific Railroad. The first was by boat, rhe settlers remained, but practically all of rhe Steamer Klamath, from Klamath Falls to sawmills have gone, with the result that laird's landing. T he second was a passen roday in the oulying distriCts a maze of ger srage line only, from laird's landing tO dirt roads seem to run everywhere and Bartle, California. Ir was owned and opera nowhere. red by Will Davis and Charlie wrd who During the early 1920's the forerunner construCted the road over which it ran. The of present-day Highwar 9- was built across third link was by the newly built McCloud Butte Valley closelr paralleling the railroad River Railroad from Bartle ro Upron. The from the Oregon State line to leaf where enterprise was nor a success and was soon it turned from the railroad to cross over abandoned. Deer Mountain on the route of an old The railroad remained more or less wagon road. At first a graded dirt and stationary for a number of years, bur in graveled road, ir was paved about 1921. A 1926 construction was renewed as work portion, from Macdoel via Grass Lake co on rhe N arron Cur-off berween Eugne, the western base of Deer Mountain, was Oregon and Weed, California, was com relocated and construCted in 1938 to remain menced. Rails in the form of logging as we know it today. roads had been extended from Eugene During the past cenrury and a quarter, southward to Oakridge, and northward Butte Valier has seen many changes. The from Weed and Klamath Falls ro Kirk. old trails have grown dim and in many A complere relocation and reconsrruction places disappeared altogether. Farming, of existing roads rook place and the new logging operations, railroad and highway exrensions were completed in 1928. All conscruetion, disuse and even rime irself, through traffic was rerouted from the old have all added rheir bi·ts in this destruction. Southern Pacific Jines ·through Shasta, Rogue and Umpqua Valleys to the new There still remain traces, however, and by lines rhrough Butte Valley and the Klamath using old surveys and bits of information country. gleaned here and there, diligent on-the-spot Commencing with the construction of search can relocate them with reasonable the railroad through Butte Valley, numerous accuracy. Ir rakes time, patience and a great small sawmills sprang up during the next deal of walking, bur one is rewdrJed wirh 20 years in mao}' locilicies, to run from a few to several years. A bout 192 1 the hav•ng preserved the pathways of the pio Long Bell lumber Company, controllers of neers. 88. THE OLD BLACKSMITH SHOP AT LAIRD'S LANDING As it looked in 1948. Forme rly the home of th e Doc Skeen family before becoming the property of Charlie Laird a round 1890. -Devere HeUrich photo AS TOLD TO ME BY CLYDE LAIRD . . IIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJUIIIIIIIIIIUUIIUIIUIIIUHUUIUIIIIIIIUUUfiUUIIIIIIIUIIUIIIIIIUIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIUIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJUUIIIIIIIUUitiiUIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIUIIIIUIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIII Doc Skeen was the first settler ar Laird's possessions being destroyed rhere, such as landing, his house is now rhe old black· an old cookstove. Within my memory the smith shop and is still standing (It has Skeen's returned to bury one member of now completely collapsed .. _Ediror). He rbeir family. planted the trees there. A clump of wil· My father moved there in 1890. I was lows nearby, used to have a nice spring in born in 1893. Mamie Farnsworth is a rhem. An old graveyard a short distance to grand-daughter of Doc Skeen. Coyote the south was the private burial ground of Point was rhe location of Oklahoma Land the Skeen's. Doc Skeen married an Indian ing. The old emigrant road went over rhe woman and their belief was to descroy or ridge directly east of Laird's Landing and in bury with the deceased, everything they later years was sometimes used by freighters possessed. There are still signs of such in muddy seasons. AS TOLD TO ME BY BEN FAIRCHILD .. 1111 11 1111111111111111 11 11111111111111111111111111111111111illlllllllllllttlllllllflllllllllllllllllfiiii11111111111111111111HIIIIIUIIUIUIIIHIIIIII11UUIIIIUIIIIIIUII IIIIIIIIIIII1111UitlllllllltlllllllUIIIIIJII IIIIIIJUIII I am a nephew of John Fairchild. I was Sam Hall hewed our and built the two four years old at the time of the Modoc log cabins at the JF ranch during the Modoc War. ( Both were torn down by ranch War. I was present when Scarface Charlie, workers a few years ago, without the owners Shacknasry Jim, Hooker Jim and Bogus permission..__ Ediror). Charlie walked inco rhe Fairchild cabin Hall probably made the cabins at the without knocking, no Inclian ever knocked, Van Brimmer and the D ranches also, as and laid down their guns. they were of the same fine workmanship. 89. Haying on the rcmch next to J. Frank Adams ranch. aru.nd 1910. Charlea Reid at top of derrick, Charles Cox and '"Shortie" next below. On the wagons, left to right: Clay Cann, , Mrs. and Mr. W. V. Whitlatch, Watson, Charlie Whitlatch, and Mra. Bill Hill in the buggy. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson

Bank of Klamath Country

HOME OWNED AND OPERATED COMPLETE BANKING SERVICE INCLUDING DRIVE-IN WINDOW FREE PARKING-BANK BY MAIL

Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

6th & Klamath Ave. Phone 884-3114 Shasta Plaza, 2885 S. 6th St. . ..c • - .. Log• in the Klamath at the mill at Klamath Fall•. predece ..or of Modoc Lumber Compo.ny. -courtesy !Clamath County Museum

Modoc Lumber Company

Manufacturers of Old Growth - Soft Texture

PONDEROSA PINE LUMBER TRUE FIRS - DOUGLAS FIR - SUGAR PINE

P. 0. Box 257 Klamath Fa lls, Oregon Eleven horaea were burned to death in the Merrill Livery Stable fire of 1906. -courtesy Juanita Stevenson

All that's left is insurance, if you have it.

One Stop Investment Center. Real Estate (Mutual Funds Registered Rep· resentative of I N A Security Corporation). Life, Health, and Accident Insurance. Home Contents, Liability, and Auto Insurance.

MIDLAND EMPIRE INSURANCE and REAL ESTATE

YOUR FRIENDLY AGENTS Clem and Sylvia Lesueur

1006 Main Street Telephone: 882-3471 Klamath Falls, Oregon Sleigh logging to Klamath rollway at Keno in 1912. Left to right: Prent Puckett with hi• b lack dog at rear rollway. Tom McCormiclc. early day logger and mill man with white beard, Harry Pearson. __ Morgan, Bill Halley, Manley Puckett with cant hook, -·- John•on driver with four up.

Men like these, who will work in sun or snow, still make Klamath Pine Lumber, that lovely, smooth, soft textured stuff that SWAN LAKE has sold for 50 years. Pacific Power and Light Keno Park Dedicated June 17, 1969