In 1869 General Tom Thumb (Mr . Charles Stratton) and his troup , "the smallest human beings in the world ," appeared at Horne 's Hall in Jack­ sonville. The Sentine l reported : "The whole performance was a success. The little pigmies displayed intelligence beyond public expectations wh ile Commodore Nutt [completely won the public] by his drolleries and his wittic isms . One could not help wondering at the audacity of such little souls coming on so long a journey ." The quartet gave a beau­ tiful performance of songs , duets , comic acts, burlesque and laugh­ able eccentricities ." For the cover Doug Smith enlarged photographs of early originals .

THE SOUTHERN OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

OfficersRichard of the Orr Boar ...... d of...... Trustees ...... President Librarian ...... Katleen Leary Robert Butler ...... First Vice President Oral Historian ...... Marjorie Edens Vicki Bryden ...... Second Vice President Newletter EditorlWriter ...... Raymond Lewis Laurel Prairie-Kuntz ...... Secretary Curator of Collections ...... Marc Pence Mark Merriman ...... Treasurer Membership Recorder/Bookkeeper ...... Maureen Smith Curator of Exhibits ...... Jime Matoush Curator of Photography ...... Douglas Smith StaffExecutive Director ...... Te...... lephone: Nick 899-1847 Clark Curator of Preservation and Director of Operations ...... Sam Wegner Maintenance ...... Byron Ferrell Controller ...... Dottie Ellen Bailey Volunteer Coordinator ...... Marge Herman Curator of Interpretation ...... Dawna Curler

2 THE TABLE ROCK SENTINEL I I J

It is not difficult to understand why Abigail Scott Duniway antagonized the citizens of Jacksonville ; she even antagonized the suffragists who worked beside her . Al though she was admittedly the "most tireless worker in the west!' she was accused by her fellow campaigners of having "an un­ bridled vanity , making errors in judgment and possessing unchecked ego­ tism. " Her failure to embrace the cause of prohibition and support the Women 's Christian Temperance Union contributed to her alienation, and her style of writing and speaking , which reflected the rural, homespun culture of western society , offended the "refined" city ladies who joined the women 's movement . Ruth Barnes Moynihan , in her excellent biography of Mrs . Duniway , Rebe l for Rights, tells us "she could be difficult ...but she had many intelli­ gent , dedicated followers . " Her contribution to equal rights is unmeasur­ able and the fact that she was often abrasive and vexed her listeners is not surprising . Today, a hundred and twenty five years later , the ERA members are still often abrasive and vex their listeners. Furthermore , Abigail Scott Duniway was entirely correct about prohibition; it did cause the delay of woman suffrage by mobilizing the opposition , and it did prove an unenforceable disaster as a law. " Her arguments are just as reasonable today as they were when she presented them and her influ­ ence persists . She has a place in the first rank of the equal rights move­ ment, and she was a woman who should not be forgotten .

bigail Jane scott was born in Taze­ and her mother wept because she was a well County , Illinois , in October , girl , and their sorrow , II her mother told 1834 . Her parents were Ann Roelof­ her later , II was almost too grievous to son and John Tucker Scott , and she be borne . 11* The life of a farmer 's wife Awas their third child and second daugh- was often too cruel to be endured , and ter . Her father , from good sturdy Ken­ her mother feared Abigail Jane would have tucky stock , was prolific ; he sired no other choice . Poor as they were , how- twelve children by his first wife and *from Abigail Scott Duniway 's book , From the two by his second . We st to the We st; Across the Plains to Oregon, p. At Abigail 's birth her IIfather stormed 147.

MARCH 1985 3 ever , were no more impoverished than to his wife. most of their neighbors. The grand­ In September of 1851 Ann Scott lost father , James Scott , was road and school her twelfth baby in a difficult child­ commissioner , tax collector and Taze­ birth , and remained a semi-invalid. well County sheriff , and her father Tucker Scott was convinced that only the was given a productive section of his climate in the West would cure her , fa ther's claim on the prairie. But the although she herself had no desire to country was poor and sparsely settled leave Illinois. The thought that a poor , and subject to destructive flooding ailing wife , who was sadly weakened from and droughts. over work and continual child bearing , Abigail's parents were of the opinion could endure the cruel trip across the that no child was likely to suffer from thousands of miles of primitive trails overwork , and as soon as she was big and bear the utmost harships and find enough , Abigail was given daily tasks : health and strength in the invigorating washing dishes , household chores , pick­ West , was not unique with Tucker Scott. ing wool , milking , churningJ and gather­ Many wagon trains contained a family who ing and chopping wood. She was pushed had tucked a dangerously ill father or to the limits of her ability , and , at mother onto a feather bed , packed sup­ the age of nine , strained her back plies around the poor patient to keep doing heavy garden work so that she had him from being too badly jostled and a chronic weakness of the spine for the bounced over the rocks , and had set out rest of her life. for the promised land. She attended school no more than During the winter of 1852 nearly all twelve months altogether , but she was the Scott family possessions were auc­ bright , learned to read early , became tioned away and Tucker Scott had saved fond of words and rhyming and treasured enough money to make the trip. The fact an old , worn copy of Webster's Elemen­ that considerable cash was required is tary Speller given to her by her not generally connected with crossing father. For a few months she attended the plains , but the emigrants found that an academy and studied higher arithme­ many river crossings required payment tic , grammar , geography and philosophy , for the ferry , and frequently a fee for but for the most part she educated her­ each animal. Every family stored as much self. She became literate by reading food as could be packed into the wagons , newspapers and early in her life poured but they also depended on trading posts over issues of the weekly publication , in the wilderness where they could oc­ Li Zy -' which was edited by Amelia Bloomer , casionally purchase supplies--at highly and filled with arguments for women's inflated prices--and have their damaged rights. Her childhood on the Illinois wagons repaired . The Scotts had a cache prairie prepared her for a life of hard of $2 ,000 hidden in their wagon. work , independence and commitment. he long awaited journey began on , n 1843 Oregon fever was rampant. April 2, 1852. Everyone knew the i Travelers who returned from a sojourn departure would be · permanent , and in the west gave impassioned descrip­ that those who were left behind would tions of the beauty of the territory , neverT be seen again by the travelers. Iand preachers stressed the importance The wagons were ferried across the of bringing Christianity to the In­ Illinois river , as the Scotts looked dians. Abigail's father and his friends back and saw their dog , Watch , howling were enticed by the tales of the won­ on the receding shore. "Go back to ders of the fertile Willamette valley , grandfather , Watch !" shouted Tucker Scott. which sounded particularly alluring But the dog refused to eat from then on , during times of drought or flooding at and soon died. home. By 1850 thousands were on their No one anticipated in 1852 that the way , expecting to strike it rich in emigration to Oregon would be the largest the gold fields or upon farms. Tucker in American history. Thousands of fami­ Scott saw Oregon as an Eden , free from lies were on the trail , and such a multi­ slavery , where one could prosper. The tude meant shortages of fuel and food , new Donation Land Act gave a married depleted grass , polluted water , dusty man 320 free acres and another 320 to roads and disease. A nationwide cholera

4 THE TABLE ROCK SENTINEL Tucker Ann Roelofson Scott epidemic raged through the wagon train , her youngest brother, three year old and many diedJ to be buried along the Willie, died of "cholera infantum," after trail in the desolate wilderness as the nine days of suffering. For six weeks the grieved survivors plodded onward. girls, whose shoes had worn out, were Abigail was assigned the responsibility forced to walk barefoot over the rocky of keeping a daily record of the trip. trail. She was seventeen, loved to write and The final lap was the worst. At The was well suited to the task. In a novel, Dalles, Tucker Scott used his last money Cap tain Gray 's Company., which she wrote to buy shoes for his bare foot children years later, she included so many death and food for the remainder of the trip. sc enes the reader begins to think she The costly supplies unfortunately turned has introduced a variety of characters out to be mildewed and rotten, and the for the literary delight of "killing Scott family almost starved. Finally them off" and giving each a heart-rend­ they descended Laurel Hill on the side ing departure. Unfortunately, her daily of Mount Hood, struggled on to French journal reveals that the dying was only Prairie and across the Willamette to too true. Death struck the wagons ahead, their destination. They were penniless the wagons behind, and graves lined the and exhausted, but they had at last trail. Finally, on June 20 , Ann Scott, reached Eden. Trying to balance the Abigail 's mother, fell ill with cholera. virtues of the Willamette valley against Her frail constitution was unable to what that had left in Illinois and what withstand the disease and she died on they had sacrificed on the trail, they the second day, stretched out on the must have found it difficult to visualize gr ound in the shelter of a wagon. The Oregon as the land of promise. men picked and scraped a grave in the sandstone, Ann Scott was wrapped in a rriving in the Willamette valley in feather mattress, and the mou nd was the late fall they met with continual heaped with stones to protect it from rain and cloudy, overcast skies. wo lves. The children covered the ground Abigail and her sister Fannie began sew­ with wild roses which hid the stones ing to contribute their share--"two dol­ from view as the train moved on. lars for pantaloons and five bits for Abigail began her diary with high ex­ flannel shirts. " The other children were pectations and a spirit of adventure, too young to look for jobs. Eventually but it soon became a catalog of painful Tucker Scott took over the management of and tragic events: exhausted oxen, food Amos Cook 's Temperance House, a hotel for at outrageous prices, quicksand, days of travelers and a dining room for regular thirst, wagons bogging down in the mud) boarders. His unemployed children sup- , (in one of the difficult crossings plied the labor force, with the exception Tucker Scott 's cache of money was of Abigail who took a job teaching in a stolen), and the drowning of Abigail's rural school at Eola, about six miles young swain during a vain attempt to from Salem. rescue two cows from the flooded Snake In March� Tucker Scott, after making a River. On August 24 , Abigail wrote that land claim in Lafayette, brought Ruth

MARCH 1985 5 stevenson from Portland to the Temper­ and in desperation took in washing . In ance House. She and her husband had the course of this business she became come west in the wagon train with the acquainted with a great many men of Scotts, but the husband had died in The various character . Lonely and over-worked Dalles, leaving her alone wit h two and in despair , she was seduced by one of small daughters . She and Tucker Scott her customers . Realizing later her full were married on March 15 , 1853. shame and disgrace, she drove him away . Although his daughters , still griev­ She wrote in desperation : ing for their mother , were not enthu­ Had Mr . Scott only written to me be­ siastic about the marriage , Tucker fore th at time both him and I would Scott was blissfully happy--for a short have been saved a great deal of trouble . time . He wrote to his father that his (She declared she did not tell him young wife was remarkably healthy , "of about it because) I did not think I lively disposition ...and verry agree­ was in that way if I had known it I able." But by mid July it was apparent never would have married him never the new Mrs. Tucker Scott was pregnant, neve no never would I have done such the baby due in October and obviously � a thing but I thought that there was not Tucker Scott 's offspring . nothing the matter with me ...I know Fearing a family scandal the Scott I done wrong but •..if he can be con­ girls suddenly decided to move out of tent to let me remain with him, I will the situation. Fannie married an older I will never deceive him in anything man , Amo s Cook , and took Catherine , again and I will be an obedient and Harriett and Sara Scott to live with faithful wife unto him so long as we her . Margaret went to the academy at both shall live but oh , if he cannot Forest Grove and Abigail married Ben C. . ..if we have to separate it will be Duniway . Like the Scotts , he had origi­ almost beyond endurance although I nally come from Illinois , and had tried deserve it I know I do ."* his luck in the mines around Jackson­ ville. Failing to make a strike and The baby was born in October and she being at heart a farmer , he took a land named it Robert Stevenson . Her relatives claim near Molalla, Oregon, and that 's took her to the Washington territory to wh ere he took his bride and his small live . Tucker Scott, more in love with brother-in-law , John Henry . Only Harvey her than ever , wrote to his father for stayed with his father . advice , saying his conscience recognized It seems out of character that Abi­ her as his wife and believed her to be as gail , who eventually became Oregon 's good a woman as lived . He made a land strongest advocate for women 's rights claim in Washington to be near her wh ile and independence , viewed her father 's he awaited his father 's answer . situation so personally and failed to James Scott, in Illinois , carefully sympathize with Ruth Stevenson Scott. weighed the situation and wrote to each To avoid notoriety she made a sudden of his granddaughters for their opinions . marriage of convenience although she Although they all felt Ruth Stevenson had later reported she had from the first brought an unforgivable stain to the name found Ben Duniway handsome and romantic. of Scott and they could not approve of Tucker Scott was granted a bill of her , each one of them agreed that her divorce and moved Ruth to a separate father would never be happy without her. house. He hired a nurse , secured a Jame s Scott gave his sa nction to the physician and saw to her comfort until union and Tucker and Ruth Scott remarried members of her own family could come and settled on Puget Sound . There were from the east to assume the respon­ two more children and event ually they sibility . moved back to Forest Grove . Tucker Scott Believing he could not live with a became a successful farmer , a sawmill wife who was bearing someone else 's operator and a major contributor to child, he insisted that she write out a Pacific University . Robert , like the oth�r confession. She sub mitted the document *The quotation was taken from Ruth Barnes in which she expressed her sorrow and Moynihan 's biography . She wrote "[This story] was kept secret for years. Only because deep regret for having deceived him. 125 Tucker Scott 's righteous brother-in-law ... She wrote that she had been alone and saved the explanatory letters for his descend­ penniless, with two children to support ants ...was the secret recently discovered ."

6 THE TABLE ROCK SENTIN El children, was accepted as a member of family . th e family . Tucker Scott died in 1880 . During these trying times she found occasional moments to write articles and bigail mirrored the heroines in poems . Her writing followed the tone her later stories/ who are overcome set by the pUblications she had read , by romantic yearnings for an appeal­ and her letters stressed the need for ing stranger , marry without careful independence for women, changes in laws Ithoug ht, and find themselves in a life giving a wife 's property to the husband of drudgery . After the wedding the and votes for the ladies . young couple went to Ben Duniway 's claim Women 's rights in Oregon did not spring south of Oregon City . The large dona­ from Abigail Scott Duniway . The idea had tion land holdings meant sparse popula­ been a controversial issue for genera­ tion and isolation , and Abigail soon tions . The Oregon City Argus reflected began to resent the loneliness of her the trend of editorials in the more pro­ life. She had to face the farmwife 's gressive magazines . The editor, William never-ending chores and feed the hired L. Adams, presented articles on equal me n, and she became pregnant almost im­ rights in marriage , education for women , mediately. Ben Duniway was a hard and even birth limitation . The Oregon wo rker, clearing land , building fences , Constitutional Convention in 1857 had growing wheat and hunting game , but discussed the justice of women 's rights ill fortune continually plagued the but only one delegate was in favor of Duniways. In 1855 a tornado and hail­ giving women the right to vote . storm destroyed th eir cabin, their out bu ildings, and their crops . Abigail n 1857 the Duniways moved to Lafayette , and her baby , Clara Belle, barely made Yamhill County . The new home was a it through the storm , as she struggled wh ite , two-storied "mansion," on a in the rain and mud to reach her in­ fine farm, and the appearance of pros- laws ' cabin a mile and a half away . perity lent some prestige to the family . Eight months after the storm she had Ben Duniway planted fruit trees and Abi­ her second child , Willis. The birth gail , as the local school teacher , was th reatened to be difficult and danger­ regarded as an "intellectual ." ous , and Ben Duniway was sent to bring In that year she decided to write a a doctor. On his way , he was caught in novel ; she was twenty-three . Captain a typical February storm, and became Gray 's Company� or Crossing the PZains helplessly lost. At last , letting the and Itiving in Oregon , was the result. horse lead the way , he returned without It was the first novel commercially the doctor . In the meantime , with the printed in the state . It appeared in help of two neighbors acting as mid­ April 1859 , just a month after her third wive s, Abigail gave birth to a large ch ild, Hubert , was born . and healthy boy . She later declared she The story is largely autobiographical had suffered indescribably. The trau­ in nature , much of it echoing the jour­ matic experience left her in a weakened nal she wrote wh ile crossing the plains . condition wh ich required daily rest The heroine , emulating Abigail , planned from her arduous chores, and her younger to start a magazine of western life , sisters, Catherine and Harriett, came equal to any magazine in the east , a to help her . part of the story wh ich reveals that Free to write down her thoughts, she Abigail had long considered publishing began writing both poetry and prose , a periodical herself. The book received and had a poem publ ished in the Oregon bad reviews . Readers expected a novel City Argus. by a female to be a lady-like romance, In 1856 the demand for wheat and ap­ and some of Abigail 's characters were ples, made by the miners in Jacksonville rough-talking frontiersmen . Her dupli­ and the Rogue River valley , ceased as cation of Kentucky dialect was considered

many of the miners moved elsewhere . The inelegant and her "bad grammar•.. li ber­ Duniways faced a severe depression in ally interspersed with slang phrases" wh ich they found no market for their was criticized. The book , read today, crops . In the summer of that year their is full of mawk ish sentimentality and cabin burned to the ground . Abigail overly elegant phrases. If the readers began teaching again to help feed the found Captain Gray 's Company too realistic

MARCH 1985 7 for sensitive tastes , the other novels decided to go to the mines in Walla Walla they read and relished mu st have indeed to get money to meet payments on his been contrived sentimental twaddle . loans . In 1859 the newspapers , Salem States­ In 1862 , with her husband in Idaho , man and the Oregon City Argus , presented Ab igail opened a private school wh ich she pro and con facts about women 's rights . taught wh ile she continued to manage the Abigail , with frequent letters to the farm . Separation and worry strained the editors , joined the fray . Her chief con­ marriage , and the Farmer 's Wife column tention was that married women were bur­ protested and grumbled. "There are no dened with too much work . Husbands should perfectly happy marriages , and people help in raising children and doing the should not marry in haste or too young ." necessary household tasks . Other writers She wrote , "It is better to suffer a presented the need for equal wages, co­ broken heart single than a broken head education and working opportunities. It and heart married." seems today that such reasonable re­ By autumn Ben returned still unable to qu ests would meet with instant approval pay his debts . The Farmer 's Wife re­ but most men could see no logical reason ported :

for their wives to held their moneys ..•ju st as dusk was coming on--my husband and estates separate , or even expect having been away from home all day--the sheriff - came to the house and served sum­ to spend their own butter and egg money . mons on me ..•Now , observe that, when that About this time Ben Duniway co-signed obligation was made, I was my husband 's silent partner--a legal nonentity--with no several notes for a friend . Abigail pro­ voice or power for self protection under tested emphatically and expressed the the sun ; but when penalty accrued , I was his legal representative . fear that such a gesture would ruin them financially. Ben Duniway ignored Ben settled out of court by selling her warning and , in addition to co-sign­ his farm and keeping a small house in ing the notes , he bought a farm adjoin­ Lafayette where Ab igail was teaching . ing the Duniway house , characteristi­ The land he lost became one of the most cally overlooking Abigail 's plea for valuable acerages in Oregon, worth a help in the house and more comfortable fortune . He was reduced to taking a furnishings. job as a teamster , hoping to earn Oregon 's depression grew progressively enough money to buy another farm . Un­ more severe. The winter of 1859 was the luckily a runaway team of horses threw worst in forty years . California fruit , him to the ground , dragging the wagon wh ich did not have to be packed to dis­ over his back , and his injuries were tant markets , brought Oregon 's fruit painful and permanent . From then on he industry to a standstill . Poor crops was a semi-inval id . The ill fortune to in 1859 were followed by over-produc­ Ben was a blessing to Abigail . Freed tion in 1860 . The Duniways were hard­ at last from the oppressive , burdensome pressed and Ben's friend , for whom he tasks of the farm kitchen , the churn , had co-signed the loan, was unable to and the milk pail , she had time for make payments. Interest on this loan writing . and on a loan of his own for his prop­ She sold her school in 1865 , and erty had to be found . Even though Abi­ opened a new school that fall in Albany . gail was slave in the kitchen , at the Political disagreements made teaching churn , the wash tub and the kitchen difficult . It was a time of civil stove , she still found time to write strife and Oregon citizens were divided contributions to the papers . She began in their opinions; they were either writing a column , "The Farmer 's Wife," strongly secessionist or strongly aboli­ for the Argus . But she had no kitchen tionist . Ab igail , who was anti slavery , help and no respite from her labor . In was accused of bringing politics into th ese times of overwork and financial her classroom, and "The Farmer"s Wife" worry , Wilkie Collins Duniway , her battled with opposing editors . fourth child, was born . Ben was well enough to enter the In November , 1861 , came the heaviest horse trading business and Ab igail 's downpour that Oregon had ever had. It school prospered . They bought a new melted the snow pack and disastrous house and invested in some land . With­ flooding was the result. The Duniway in the year she also started on a com­ wh eat was sold at a sacrifice and Ben mercial venture ; she opened a mill inery

8 THE TABLE ROCK SENTINEL and became Oregon 's delegate to the women's suffrage convention in San Fran­ cisco in 1871. She was in her glory , surrounded on every side by famous suf­ fragists . Making her first public lec­ ture , she was immediately booked for a speaking tour of California--on salary . When she wrote the good news to Ben, he wired back , "Come home immediatelYi business requires it ." She abandoned the lecture tour and returned to Albany to find the only thing the family needed was the salary she had relinquished . Maintaining her shop in Albany, she moved her family to a small rented hou se in Portland where she opened another mil­ linery establishment . In the two upstairs Ben Duniway bedrooms she set up a printing machine , employed a printer and paid her two shop . When she again became pregnant , oldest boys to be typesetters . About she converted her school to a general this time she wanted to buy property in store , and , with credit from Jacob Portland wh ile it was cheap , but Ben, Mayer in Portland , purchased a complete having ruined himself financially by co­ stock for her shop . In November , 1866 , signing a note for a friend, refused to Clyde Augustus was born . put his signature on the papers . She Abigail 's brother, Harvey , a graduate could only sit by and watch her brother of Pacific University , was librarian Harvey become a millionaire from his for the Portland city library . He fre­ real estate investments. Her newspaper qu ently contributed articles to the did not bring wealth but it often bec ame papers, and everyone was impressed the main support of the family . She with his brilliance . After the appear­ hired a Chinese cook and a housekeeper, ance of his essay written as a tribute and Ben Duniway took over the duties of to the dead president , he was appointed raising the children. The experience editor of the Portland Oregonian . Abi­ probably led him to invent a washing gail soon sent him one of her composi­ machine , wh ich he manufactured at home , tions for publ ication. He rejected it i and sold throughout the Willamette valley . Abigail, crushed and chagrined , was con­ vinced he had refused to accept her n May 5, 1871 , the first issue of manuscript because of sibling rivalry . the New Northwest appeared . The paper . Ralph Roelofson Duniway , the sixth would be "for human rights and would and last child , was born in 1869 . His attempt to secure the greatest good to birth was a difficult one , and Abigail theI greatest number ." Miss Moynihan , stated that she was made a "cripple" Abigails biographer , wrote , "The New for the rest of her life . Northwest and Abigail Scott Duniway 's indomitable energy were the primary fac­ he Fifteenth Amendment in 1870 de­ tors in the Pacific Northwest women 's clared no citizen could be denied movement for the next sixteen years ." the vote because of race , color or During these years Abigail traveled previous slavery . Women were certain thousands of miles, giving lectures, and that their own rights would soon be wrote volumes for her paper . She became recognized. Unfortunately the amend­ a mentor for women , exhorting them to ment meant only male citizens, and seek education, develop their talents and suffragists therefore joined forces to enter professions . fight against its ratification although She became one of the five vice-presi­ th eir platform originally supported dents of the National Women 's Suffrage black rights . Abigail embraced the Association and was recognized by all as cause wholeheartedly , prepared for bat­ the foremost leader of the movement in tle and eventual victory . She joined the West. In 1871 she managed a nation­ the Equal Suffrage Society in Salem , wide tour for Susan B. Anthony . Members

MARCH 1985 9 of the Oregon Supreme Court conferred worthy husbands . with them on the suffrage issue . Travel Ben's health declined during Abigail 's was still primitive and making tours in campaigning years , and she became more the wilderness required courage and en­ resentful of his failures. She loved durance , two qualities wh ich neither one him but she felt she had made a bad mar­ of them lacked . riage . A girl of eighteen was too young to marry and there should have been laws Scribbling novels and essays and edi­ to prevent it . torial correspondence for the New North­ This was an error she would not permit west as she traveled, Abigail estab­ Clara Belle to make . No man could pos­ lished suffrage associations in remote sibly be good enough for her gifted towns and drummed up subscribers for daughter . But Clara Belle fell in love her paper . Among her literary out­ with a young man from Missouri, Don pourings was David and Anna Matson� an Stearns , rough and uncultured , who epic poem of novel 's length . It was also smoked r drank and caroused. Wh ile beautifully bound and artistically Abigail was on a trip east to the Cen­ illustrated , but it was the worst th ing tennial Expositionr Clara Belle eloped she ever wrote . The New York Graphic , with her light of love . in a book review , said , "It is a sad, When Abigail returned home and learned sad story and we congratulate Mrs . of the marriage she flew into an uncon­ Duniway upon having got rid of it ." trollable anger . Clara fainted and Abi­ During the years she continually gail thought it would be for the best featured her original writing in serial if the poor girl never came out of her form . At least seventeen novels ap­ unconscious state . Later Abigail an­ peared in the New Northwest wh ile she nounced the wedding and gave a party for was editor. Like her very first en­ the newlyweds . Her objection became a deavors , they were autobiographical in family secret . nature and heavily laced with rights The young husband had started one of for women. Occasionally she became the first evening newspapers in Port­ literarily graphic in her "Editorial land and Clara Belle became a purchasing Correspondence ," and often skillfully agent r at five percent commission , and presented her ideas : continued giving piano lessons . But the Our winding , snake-like train keeps paper , PortZand Evening Bee� was soon in adding freight car after freight car to its caudal extremity until , as the engine at financial trouble , and Stearns sold it last switches its tail of cars and goes and invested in land speculation. His thundering down the grade , we look behind endeavors failed to make him rich, and us from the window and count thirteen rat­ tles. "Oh, what a snake ! It follows us Clara Belle was forced to move to an through the gloom and over the gorges; down unsuitable climate in Washington. In the grades and up the grades; along the river and across the culverts; under frown­ 1885 she returned to her home bringing ing crags and over jarring trestle work, her young son with her . In 1886 at the never ceasing its rattle and din, until at age of thirty-one , she died of consump­ last we reach the Dalles, where the snake , rattles and all, curls itself away some­ tion. where among the machine shops . willis and Wilkie followed Abigail 's She deplored abortion but felt the advice and waited to get married . Wil­ cause , "enforced bodily subjugation ," lis was 38; Wilkie , 32 . When Hubert was could be removed only when women had 18 , he had a relationship with one of won political and economic freedom . Abigail 's boarders , Ida , and she became Although she believed that true mar­ pregnant . Abigail again went into a fit riage was forever , she was fascinated of temper , but she directed the course by the sin of divorce and refused to of action. Hubert married Ida, and the shun divorced women . "If a woman has guilty couple went to San Francisco to made a wrong choice ," she wrote, "it is live temporarily. Three months after the her duty to make the best of a bad bar­ birth of the baby , a son , Abigail brought gain." In a later editorial she said , the child back to Portland . In her Edi­ "Women are getting too far advanced to torial Correspondence she declared she longer endure drunkenness and brutality ," had "spontaneously" adopted an orphan but the solution was to educate the child , but the change of food and the children to the vicissitudes of married hardships of the journey caused him to life so they could avoid marrying un- die within a week . The young couple re-

10 THE TABLE ROCK SENTINEL Abigail Soott Duniway turned to Portland to live with the Duni­ one can give a birthday for pro­ . ways where the bride , "stricken with . hibition . No doubt some aborigine tuberculosis, died at the age of twenty­ 10wi femate hit upon the idea of a three ." Hubert returned to the girl he tribal outlawing of the fermented dis­ had courted before his marriage to the tillation for wh ich her caveman roommate unfortunate Ida. had developed an uncontrollable taste . Abigail 's editorial s began emphasizing The movement certainly had been around the need for abstinence and purity in before the flood, but in 1874 a lot of men as well as in women. women, who had a hatred for the bottle,

MARCH 1985 II pooled resources and established the fragist , she had other concerns beside Women 's Christian Temperance Union . prohibition : she wanted to transform They battled the demon by gathering in society to eliminate the distinction of groups in the saloon, kneeling in class ; she thought women should be paid prayer and singing hymns and temperance for their labor , even in the home ; she songs . The battle tactics were effec­ advocated that women in the business tive ; who could enjoy a little some­ world should receive equal pay with men ; thing over the rocks with a group of she decried wanton distribution of pub­ women on their knees exhorting him to lic lands among greedy politicians ; and cut short the happy hour and hit out she believed in universal emancipatioq. for home? The difficulty for the dry She fought the injustice of women 's inability ladies lay in the number of saloons . to control their own finances . They had no In cities there was about one saloon protection against a husband 's bad for every sixty inhabitants, and there judgment or bad character. wife 's 1, weren 't enough militant females to hit business and personal property could be them all . At first the ladies were seized in payment of her husband 's opposed to women suffrage but eventu­ debts, taxes could be voted against her ally added the cause to their platform . land without her consent and the men who The organization would seem to be one controlled her welfare did so without her that Abigail would adopt enthusiasti­ council or opinion . Abigail, realizing cally , but she failed to see how prayer the limitations imposed upon her , cried , could prevent drunkenness . In her early "We are reduced to the status of children childhood she had been exposed to and feeble minded persons ." fire and brimstone religion, and she Embracing such utopian theories, she disdained it as well as "hypocritical soon made powerful enemies. The pro­ churchanity . " Ai though her writing hibitionists , the anti-suffragists , showed a deep respect for the Bible , politicians , secessionists , democrats she sometimes carried her anti-organ­ and religious leaders censored her, ized religion ideas too far and cer­ and attacked her iconoclastic ideas . tainly failed in the department of She met all challenges head on , and meekness and piety . used her Editorial Column to chastise In addition she felt it was wrong to her attackers and reinforce her opinions . give women the ballot just so they Her wit was often cutting and ironic , would vote against liquor. She was of and her speaking ability was outstanding . the opinion that women should have the She could move audiences from laughter vote ; if they voted for the sale of to tears or slap down an opponent with strong spirits, they should still be a few words . entitled to vote . She wrote , "Intem­ When she announced she was opposed to perance is a disease and should be a third political party , the Prohibi­

treated as such ••.Ne ither prayer nor tionists , because it would cripple the prohibitory laws are sufficient reme­ suffrage movement and split the votes , dies ." In another article she wrote , the enmity wh ich her opinions aroused "The innate depravity of all human became threatening . When the prohibi­ beings makes it virtually impossible to tionists flung back the statement that ban wh iskey altogether ." In her Edi­ they did not want to hurt the case of torial Correspondence column , she de­ women 's rights , they just wanted Abigail clared: Scott Duniway to step down , the Editorial The ballot in [woman 's) hands will ulti­ Correspondence column announced : mately assist the temperance reform; but it will never bring prohibition, for that [They know) full well that the Woman 's is not temperance but intolerance and Movement without Mrs . Duniway would be quackery . The ballot in her hand will like a locomotive without stearn; an army prove in time the magic key to the power without a leader , a France without a which will enable women to rear a race of Napoleon. But for Mrs. Duniway the men who will be vo luntarily free from Woman 's Movement in Oregon and Washington drunkenness, because a race of free , en­ territory would be just where it was lightened mothers will naturally produce three years ago . a race of free , enlightened sons .* No one accused her of false modesty . It was not long before the W.C.T.U. Her lecture tours took her everywhere , and Abigail parted company . As a suf- and she appeared on the platform in the middlewest and the east as well as in * Where did we go wrong? the far west.

12 THE TABLE ROCK SENTINEL AB IGAIL IN JACKSONV ILLE "had refused to recognize or cohabit with acksonville had always been a rowdy him as her husband. [Her] treatment [had] town , and few miners earned good been so harsh , cruel and inhuman and she conduct medals, but in Jacksonville had heaped so many personal indignities there was almost always a patriotic ora­ upon him that his life had been rendered tion in process or on the docket , and 'burdensome . '" speakers generally met with enthusiasm . After three postponements of the pro­ Hoodlums don 't make up much of the audi­ ceedings , Judge Prim had the divorce ence at a lecture , and if any attended, stricken from the docket and went to they probably fell asleep shortly after Phoenix and began re�ourting his wife . the introduction of the speaker . Before By 1867 he had won her back to his eager leaving on her tour , Abigail had insured embrace . They were once again like herself a rude reception by panning one newly-weds and their troubles probably of the town 's most illustrious citizens ended with a fadeout kiss against the in her Editorial Correspondence . gold of the we stern sky . In 1857 Judge Paine Page Prim, who had But a decade later Abigail Scott Duni­ come to southern Oregon as a miner in way recalled the divorce, and , before the early days , married Theresa Stearns , she left for Jacksonville , featured the wh ose family also arrived in the valley long forgotten squabble in the New North­ as early pioneers .* When Prim became a west . Th eresa had opened a hat and bon­ justice in the State Supreme Court and net shop in Jacksonville a couple of eventually Chief Justice , his duties fre­ months earlier and perhaps Abigail de­ quently kept him away from home for ex­ cided to defend--even belatedly--a fellow tended periods of time . His prolonged businesswoman . In any case she found absences soon had an adverse effect on some excuse to charge Judge Prim with his marriage . Theresa, left for weeks at "banishing his protected and supported a time alone with two infant children , wife ...because he was weak enough to decided she could no longer tolerate her permit somebody to slander her. " She felt husband and began treating him with pointed he was no less guilty even though he had eventu­ contempt . She informed him she had ceased ally cajoled her into coming back to his to love him , and , in fact felt a hatred bed and board "for his own convenience ." towards him . She would be happier, she Citizens of Jacksonville seem to have said , if he stayed away permanently welcomed Abigail warmly. She was sched­ since his company had become offensive uled for four lectures, to be delivered to her . Her only enjoyment was in the on four successive nights . Mary Hoffman society of others in his absence . The Vining , who at the time was temporarily phrase, "society of others ," indicated managing a genteel hotel in Jacksonville, to the good judge that she had taken a made her comfortable and offered her the paramour , although there was no evidence courtesy of the house . The editors of of hanky panky , and Theresa had the sym­ the Oregon Sentine l and the Democratic pathy of the local ladies . Times gave her generous pUblicity and Naturally the judge soon turned her prepared the citizens for an intellectual out of his house; wh at husband could event . The first three orations were well tolerate such blatant disloyalty? attended and Abigail was roundly cheered; Theresa with her small children in tow the opposition lay low and kept quiet . returned to her parents ' loving arms . A On Saturday , the day of the last lecture , local paper reported she had taken a copies of the New Northwest with its pleasure trip to San Francisco so she feature presenting Judge Prim in an un­ apparently wasn 't exactly pining away . favorable light , arrived on the mail The judge mu st either have been an in­ coach and were distributed to subscribers veterate procrastinator or a very busy in Jacksonville . man . After about three years of separa­ In an instant the hidden hostility ex­ tion , he filed suit for divorce, charg­ ploded . Good old Judge P.P.Prim stood ing Theresa Prim had broadcast her indif­ high in the community , the affair had ference to all and has thus subjected been long forgotten and wh at right had him to public ridicule. In addition she this female agitator to revive it ? The male citizens , including a few celebrat­ *Incidentally, as a child Theresa Stearns attended Mary Hoffman 's school in the ing miners , set out for revenge . Eden district.

MARCH 1985 13 When Abigail , bedecked in her lecture only telling the truth." In a second finery , emerged from the Vining House article she wrote : on her way to the lecture hall , she was The "militia 's" been out and egged us! met with a barrage of eggs, of wh ich And they 've burnt us in effigy, the image being a fair likeness of George Washington some were not so fresh . While the so we 're told, though we didn 't see it, hooligans threw the eggs , someone else and it wore a white apron with the words, "Libeller of families," on it in big let­ put the torch to an effigy of Abigail , ters--a fitting name for the cowardly hanging by the neck high on a tree limb canai ZZe (rabble) who seek , under cover across the street from the hotel . The of darkness, to exhibit their true inward­ ness ..•Only one egg hit us , and that was treatment was far more severe than the fresh and sweet, and it took us square on statements made by Abigail had warranted the scalp and saved us a shampooing bill. but Jacksonville was strongly democratic , Audiences in Phoenix and Ashland , pos­ only a few of the men understood what sibly because of the hoodlumism in women 's rights were all about and most Jacksonville , wel comed her graciously. of them felt women suffrage was against In spite of the good humor and tolerance nature . The editor of "the Democratic in her report of the incident , she felt Times called the episode "A Comtemptible the insult keenly and avoided Jackson­ Affair ," and wrote : ville in future tours . In fact other The indignation of the people has been suffragists and prohibitionists as well aroused to its highest pitch by the ap­ carefully ignored the county seat in pearance ...of a slanderous article re­ flecting in a mo st unjust and uncalled their itineraries . for manner upon one of our foremost citi­ Abigail seldom displayed any restraint zens . This resentment has been heightened in expressing her opinions and attacking ...by the abandoned manner in which the sancitity of the family circle has been her enemies. But she was not the only invaded and matters that were buried and female guilty of an unchecked temper. forgotten in the long ago have been re­ vived for the sinister purpose of venting The suffrage and prohibition movements malignant spite upon one who enjoys the seem to have attracted a multitude of high esteem of all ...We are amazed that members with short fuses . No one can one professing to be labouring for the

best interests of women ••.should thus de­ expect overflowing harmony and benevo­ base the columns of a newspaper under her lence in any group of women who , although control . If these are teachings of woman suffrage , it should be prohibited by they have united for a mutual purpose , statute . Mrs. Duniway has by this fell have varying ideas of how to accompl ish stroke done more injury to herself and that aim. her cause here than years can repair •..

The Oregon sentinel, in reporting t the first, Abigail was given sup­ the incident was unreasonably vehement . port by the western women, and her The editor wrote : leadership was unq uestioned . But her refusal to join in the prohibition move­ An impression is prevalent in the valley that Mrs. Duniway was mobbed simply because ment led to serious disagreements . She she was an advocate of women 's rights. It was certainly correct in her assumption is false . The woman was treated with courtesy until she stripped off the mask of that few men would vote for women suffrage a lady and showed her true character as a if they had concluded that once the social scavanger . The orientals bel ieved in a class of females being ghouls , who ladies were given the vote , they 'd con­ nightly dug into graves and feasted on verge on the polls to vote out liquor . putrifying carcasses of human beings . This Knowing th is , she made every effort to being is only a ghoul who feasts on married social scandal, and the course she has com­ keep the two campaigns separate . In menced will not be evoked by any community . those years prohibition was embraced by The doors of this town were kindly opened to her , but today there are few people in churches, and anyone against it was con­ Jacksonville that will not look at her face sidered godless and pro fligate . Abigail with contempt . was called a free thinker and an infidel Abigail realized the incident was far by her enemies and was also accused of from funny , but , in writing about it , selling out to the liquor interests . The she treated it as a joke: "Squads of assertion may not have been accepted as men are holding indignation meetings true by leaders of the movement in the on the street� ..and it really looks as east, but many of them resented her less though they 'd be calling out the mili­ than lady-like approach . At national tia pretty soon for the express pur­ meetings she was occasionally snubbed , po se of fighting a lone woman who se a situation which she did not accept offense against them has consisted of meekly. Her famous temper and sharp

14 THE TABLE ROCK SENTINEL tongue were often put to use . Many of She deeply resented the tasks wh ich kept her followers deserted her . When the her from writing , and the efforts she su ffrage amendment was put on the bal­ finally managed to get on paper were lots , it was always defeated . Abigail rejected by the editors who still re­ blamed the W.C.T.U. members , and they called that her first book had been a blamed her , announcing that her abrasive financial disaster, both to her and to manner and lack of refinement were re­ her publisher . sponsible for its failure . Although she Whenever she was invited, she still was constantly under attack by her ene­ gave lectures . She spoke at the Idaho mies , she occasionally had a victory . Convention in 1889 , and at the columbian In 1878 a Married Women 's Property Act Exposition in Chicago . But as an "unsafe gave wives the right to own property , campaigner ," she was ignored by mo st of keep wages and manage , sell or will the new wave of suffragists who tried their property , and in some areas women to invade the western territory and take tax payers were given the right to vote her place , even though she had pioneered on schools. the way for the movement . But th e ill will directed toward her For awhile she edited the Coming Cen­ continued. When Abigail invited Susan B. tury and the Pacific Emp ire , but she was Anthony to hold the N.S.W.A. annual con­ not happy under someone else 's manage­ ference in Oregon , she declined . By 1883 , ment . Even though her detractors con­ during a visit to Olympia, Abigail was tinually worked against her , she was warned to stay out of sight . She was elected president of the state federa­ told, "It makes the members mad to see tion and was encouraged to run for you on the streets . Your presence will County School Superintendent , a challenge kill the bill ." she refused . She joined a study group Not the least of her detractors was and helped introduce reforms : the secret her brother, Harvey Winfield Scott, long ballot and the direct election of Sena­ time editor of the Oregonian . For years tors . But she remained depressed . Her he attacked her ideas and editorialized sons ' relationships with the ladies wor­ against her . The paper 's opposition to ried her , but willis became Oregon State women 's suffrage continued until Harvey Printer, and made a fortune ; Wilkie was Scott 's death in 1920 . made editor of the Sunday Oregonian (with In 1886 she was persuaded to sell the Harvey Scott 's help) and al so became a New Northwest. Her family convinced her billiards champion with a rating of th ird the paper was no longer prospering finan­ place in the nation in 1913 ; Ralph , the cially . Some of her well-meaning friends youngest , having earned a law degree from in the movement insisted it was time for Cornell , was a lawyer and eventually her to step down . The purchaser prom­ became city attorney ; Herbert 's lumber ised to continue Abigail 's editorial business was not a success and his mar­ policy , but he went out of business after riage went on the rocks; Clyde , who be­ two months. She bought ranchland in came a lawyer , supported equal rights, Idaho from the profits of the sale . Ben wrote a prize winning dissertation on Duniway was installed on the Idaho ranch freedom of the press and spoke in favor and , with their share of the money , two of women 's suffrage before a Massachu­ of his sons established the Duniway Lum­ setts legislative committee. ber Company which soon failed. After a visit to the ranch in 1892 she real ized en Duniway , almost helpless from Ben was still incapable of making any arteriosclerosis and arthritis , and provisions for her . The loss of her news­ plagued with nausea and a constant paper and the failure of the Idaho prop­ cough , left the Idaho ranch and returned erty to produce any profit made her feel to Portland to be nursed by Abigail . She stranded. She implored her sons to pro­ was a disagreeable attendant , knowing vide for her , and an arrangement was nothing about nursing , and resenting made to give her a hundred dollars each his dependence upon her . He became more month . She still owned her home in Port­ and more of a burden and with no money land , and Ben Duniway continued to live for housekeepers or nurses , she dosed . on the ranch . The sons soon neglected to him with castor oil , a treatment which, send their share of the allowance, and needless to say , did not set him immedi­ Ab igail was obliged to keep boarders . ately on the road to recovery . He died

MARCH 1985 15 and wrote him a scorching letter . She felt so betrayed, her sons came to her aid and tried to encourage her to get inter­ ested in something else or at least to pick up the torch of the women 's move­ ment and try again . She was very frail ; infections , bil- iousness and rheumatism tormented her and she became grossly overweight . But de­ spite her bad health she began planning another suffrage referendum . She was still president of the Oregon Women 's Suffrage Association and again invited the national association to hold its con­ vention in Portland . The leaders in the east , however , were still convinced Abigail was injuring the cause . After the 1906 defeat , several of them tried to engineer a coup to oust her as presi­ dent of �he Oregon association . Angry and disillusioned , she withdrew from the campaign . Even though she had no reticence about blaming other suffragists for the defeats , and waged bitter battles with those who accused her of stealing suffrage funds for her own use , her supporters rallied around her . Many women came to believe she had been correct in her statements The statue of Mrs . Duniway was sculpted by Ro se­ from the first and could see that had well Dosch in upon his return to Portland 1914, the national campaign been waged on her after extended study in Rome and Paris . It was terms , it would have been successful donated to SOHS by Mary Ann Campbell, the sculp­ tor 's niece, whose family and the Duniway family generations earlier . By 1910 she was were long-time friends. given more respect and her brother Har­ Mary Ann's favorite story about Abigail con­ vey's death brought an end to the opposi­ cerns Mrs . Duniway 's niece , Ruth Kerby . When she was fourteen , attending St. Helen 's Hall, she was tion from the editorials in the Oregonian . expected to have tea each afternoon with her Aunt In 1911 the paper glowingly reported Abigail . One afternoon Teddy Roo sevelt led a an oil painted portrait of Abigail was parade up Broadway , and Ruth decided she would rather see Mr . Roosevelt than make her daily presented to the State Suffragist Associa­ appearance at the Duniway house , and , although tion for eventual display in the National she had a feeling of guilt, she trouped along Art Gallery at Washington It may be with her friends to see the parade . The next day at tea, Mrs . Duniway said to her , there today , it may be stored away , but "I do wish you had corne yesterday . The nicest the gift was a magnificent tribute to man called at tea time , and you could have had a chat with him. He was Teddy Roosevelt ... the long abused and long suffering Abigail . In 1912 she again acquired petitions in August 1896 . The wh ole family came and submitted the amendment . But she was together for his funeral but their gather­ suddenly overcome with pneumonia and ing was marred by quarrels and discord . blood poisoning , and her sons feared for Abigail 's mourning was tempered with the her life . She insisted she couldn 't die thought Ben had robbed her and , by his until women 's suffrage had passed and con­ bad judgment , had tied her to a lifetime tinued to lead the campaign from her sick­ of household duties and kept her from bed . Her supporters helped her squelch realizing her potential . the opposition of the national head­ The vote in 1900 was extremely close . quarters and strongly emphasized that "if Two weeks before the election the Ore­ the amendment is defeated this time , it gonian launched a barrage of editorials will be by your campaign committee stir­ against the amendment . Harvey Scott , who ring up strife ." claimed to be "out of town ," said he was National leaders were asked , "Can any not responsible , but Abigail was enraged of you show a better record for suffrage

16 THE TABLE ROCK SENTINEL than Mrs . Duniway?" The me ssages to Abi­ In 1915 just before her eighty-first gail 's opposition defended a "sick old birthday , she died. She could valiantly lady , sick in body and heart , and too battle her enemies for years , but she ill to be vexed by greedy enemies." Her could not overcome the effects of an in­ detractors and critics were not easily fected toe . without antibiotics there put down , but Abigail 's defenders offered was no way to fight poison. On her death­ surprising resistance and their counter bed , she wh ispered, "I am ready to go ," offensive silenced mo st of the criticism. and expired.

hen women suffrage was put on the bal­ bigail Scott Duniway devoted her en­ lot in that year it was approved--by a tire life to her cause. She fought small majority . Her opponents at for what she believed and she did headquarters, rather than being delighted, wh at she set out to do . Ralph Friedman , claimed the previous defeats had been a Portland writer , has called her , "Ore­ caused by Abigail 's antagonistic methods gon 's most famous woman and one of the and errors in judgment . Oregonians failed greatest achievers in Oregon ." Miss to be moved by such accusations . The Moynihan closes her biography with the governor, Oswald West , credited her with statement : "The frontier spirit she having done more to obtain the vote for represented lives as a legacy for all women in the state than anyone else , and women and for all Americans ." Today her asked her to write and sign the equal suf­ place in equal rights is secure and per­ frage proclamation. She was honored as haps when all the facts are fully publi­ being the first registered woman voter in cized she will be recognized as a national Oregon and the first' to cast her vote. treasure .

Mrs . Duniway registering to vote

MARCH 1985 17 here is a strange fascination that were the losers . Once it 's gone , it 's lingers in long abandoned ghost gone , and the birth of a second town a 'i.l� -- towns . Names like Sailors Diggings , few miles down the creek won 't revive Waldo , O'Brien and Takilma , where none the first. of the original buildings are still From the very start the forty-niners standing , evoke a fleeting glamor and who found gold at Sutters Mill were wonder. Sterlingville , of which only bound to branch out and try their luck the cemetery remains , is not even a wide in areas farther away . and after they spot in the road , yet its aura persists . reached Cottonwood, Greenhorn and Yreka No one can accurately point out the spot in Cal ifornia, southern Oregon was just wh ere the saloon or the hotel or the a step over the mountains . James Clug­ smithy stood , but the buildings were gage made his discovery at Rich Gulch th ere once , businesses thrived briefly in January , 1852 , but gold was found in and noisy miners crowded the street . Kerbyville , Josephine County , on April Every camp which sprang up overnight 2, 1851 , a good eight months earlier. and suddenly brought a throng of miners, with the emphasis placed today on early brought also an entrepeneur -- or two -­ Jacksonville , this may come as a sur­ who hastily built a shack and stocked prise to the amateur historian . Josephine it with wh iskey or food staples. Those· County has its exciting history and storekeepers who didn 't worry about legends just as has Jackson County, and solid foundations and adequate roofs and the story of Kerbyville follows the pat­ wh o were ready to fold up and go with tern set by the earlier mining campS . th e miners to a richer strike were the Dennis H. stovall, who wrote a little lucky ones . Those who held on doggedly , novel entitled Suzanne of Kg rbyville> hoping the miners would return , the said : farmers would settle, the railroad would Kerby has not always slept . In the come and business would have a rebirth, early days the settlement ...was

18 THE TABLE ROCK SENTINEL The old jail at Kerbyville the gayest and thriftiest! and exchanged short lived . In 1860 the legislature more "dust" than any other mining camp changed it . The town was declared county north of San Francisco ...Then the seat in 1857 , taking the title away from streets of Kerbyville seethed with the Waldo . Kerbyville, with the greatest stampede of two thousand excited gold­ population , easily won th e honor in an hunters. From the saloons and dancing election , and for twenty-eight years it halls issued , day and night , the clink was county seat until Grants Pass pre­ of glasses , the boisterous merriment vailed and took th e title . of the faro tables, intermingled with shouts! shots , yells and cries . Kerby­ story has circulated for a hundred ville was , in truth , but a California thirty years or more about how mining camp moved over the Siskiyous . t:LJKerby ville came to be . The legend A few miles below Kerbyville , on the is probably fantasy but it deserves to Illinois River , Josephine Creek emp­ be revived from time to time so it won 't ties its foaming waters into the disappear from folk tradition . larger stream . It was here , at the foot Before the discovery of gold, the Rogue of Eight-Dollar Mountain , gold was River valley was a wilderness , traversed first discovered in the Oregon country . " by a primitive trail from Yreka to the The news of this discovery , wh ispered Willamette valley . But gold brought from man to man , from claim to claim, swarms of miners and settlers , and a from camp to camp , brought a living packing route was established from Jack­ stream over the narrow trail of the sonville to Crescent City . Mules were Siskiyous, and started swarms of men used in pack trains to bring in supplies up every gulch , creek and river in and some trains had as many as seventy southern Oregon . or eighty mules. These animals were in­ Kerbyville was the first town in the credibly strong and could haul astonish­ country to be platted and laid out . In ingly heavy freight , but the strongest 1857 , Dr. Daniel Holton , then practicing of all was famous all along the coast in Waldo , hired a surveyor to lay out for her extraordinary perseverance and the townsite in lots and block s on the endurance . Her name was Anita and she south portion of Jim Kerby 's 160 acre was the pride and joy of a Spanish packer claim. The plat was recorded under the named Alonzo Martinez. (A story featured name of Napoleon. Josephine County had in the Tribune in 1947 reported that the to have her Napoleon , but the name was packer was called Juan Pedro and the mule

MARCH 1985 19 The photograph shows how mu les were burdened with heavy loads of lumber which they packed to Jacksonville , Kerbyville or other towns , from mills as far away as Crescent City . There is no picture in existence of the legendary Anita. was Susie . No matter .) it was strapped and tied with ropes onto One day Martinez was approached by a an especially constructed saddle . The man from Jacksonville. "You are a good removable pieces of the instrument must packer ," he said, "and you have a famous have been packed onto other mul es wh ile mu l e, Anita . Could you pack a piano Anita carried the heaviest single piece . from Crescent City to Jacksonville?" Obviously the frontier branch of the Well , yes , Martinez thought he could, S.P.C.A. wasn 't doing their thing at the "for a price." time . The fee he named was outrageous but Anita, indomitable and trail wise , the gentleman from Jacksonville didn 't toted that heavy load miles and miles , bat an eyeball , and the two of them over the mountains to Jacksonville . This sh ared a shot of social lubricant to was an earth-shaking event , and Anita seal the bargain . should have been put out to pasture and In due course the piano arrived , given an unending supply of oats , but having been shipped around the horn to Alonzo Martinez was greedy , and when Crescent City . Alonzo Martinez hadn 't other newly-rich Jacksonville merchants been dillydallying ; he was ready . He decided to keep up with the neighbors had rigged up a tripod fifteen feet high and also display pianos in their parlors, and had suspended a block and tackle they contacted Martinez as well, and from the top . The tripod was set up over Anita, the dear old thing , lugged several th e piano and several packers pulled on more pianos over the mountains . th e ropes , lifting the piano into the At last a man from Jacksonville sought air . out Martinez and asked him if he would Martinez then led Anita under the con­ bring a billiard table from Crescent City . traption, and the men slowly lowered the Yes , he could, for a price . Poor Anita . heavy freight down upon her back where Arrangements were made and eventually

20 THE TABLE ROCK SENTINEL Anita , groaning under the big pool table, out , the yells and shouts of prepara­ started off on the 130 mile long , Zong tion [rang out day and night] as trail . mules and ponies received their packs , All went well enough until they were the jar and clank of shovels , picks about half-way to home base, when a big and pans , as beasts of burden, camp­ grizzley bear came lumbering down the laden, brushed each other in passing mountain side toward the train. All by . the mules scattered--all , that is, ex­ Along in the latter part of the six­ cept Anita . She tried to run but the ties, Kerbyville began to decline . The pool table was too heavy . Her legs little city had survived two bloodv bu ckled under her and she flattened . Indian wars , a smallpox epidemic, and a Martinez and his men quickly set up long winter famine when snow blocked the the tripod and lifted the pool table, trails and people couldn 't get in or out . but it was too late . Once again the But the miners were a restless lot, and goose that laid the golden egg had met after scratching the surface no deeper her Waterloo . Sadly they buried the than the length of their shovel handles , faithful but defunct mule along the they drifted away to other Bonanzas . trail. The loss of the valiant Anita Kerbyville faded into history . was more than a disaster . Alonzo Mar­ In 1903, when Dennis Stovall wrote his tinez couldn 't move the billiard table tribute to the town , there were a few de­ forward or backward , and the man who caying relics still standing . The town had ordered it refused to pay for mer­ hall , the old jail and the walls of some chandise that wasn 't delivered . of the abandoned businesses were there , For some time the table lay where the leaning drunkenly toward the center , late Anita had ditched it, but in a few th eir doors and windows boarded up . And days Martinez was struck with an idea : the stage clattered through the town he would build a saloon around the bil­ twice each day. liard table and advertise a grand open­ ing . The announcement that the only ut today the town has become Kerby po ol table north of San Francisco could • and boasts two stores and the re­ be found at Martinez 's Dewdrop , brought [Jmains of a sawmill . The Josephine miners stampeding his way in no time . County Historical Society has established Tents and shacks sprang up like mush­ a handsome mu seum which houses relics rooms , and in a couple of weeks there from the ghost town era and a group of was a thriving mining town--Kerbyville! period exhibits . On the mu seum grounds of five acres are an old two story house , uring the fifties and the first part fully furnished with charming antiques , of the sixties, the town was at its an annex building , a blacksmith shop , a peak . small building containing a mineral ex­ hibit , and a little one room schoolhouse To the hitching bars along each wh ich was moved from Sucker Creek and side of the street , scores of pack rebuilt on th is more accesible site . The animals, mules and cayuses stood , museum , under the direction of the Grants stamped and fought the stinging flies . Pass Parks Department , will be open from ..Miners were there [with gold] from 10:00 - 5:00 daily , beginning the season the Illinois , Josephine Creek , Silver on May 15 . One interested in Oregon 's Creek , Althouse, Galice and the Rogue . beginnings would do well to pay Kerby ..Hordes poured in and hordes poured a visit .

MARCH 1985 21 CUPID ON DISPLAY

The Southern Oregon His­ torical Society sponsored a Valentine Party for those who have worked on the Bu tler­ Perozzi Fountain Restoration in Ashland . The original marble scu lpture of Cupid was on exhibit for the party which was held at Swedenberg House Mu s eum . Over 100 en­ joyed the beautiful music provided by a string trio and refreshments by Sweden­ berg volunteers . Curator Nan Hannon repor ts it was a great success .

Photograph by Doug Smith SOCIETY SEEKS DONAT IONS FOR LIV ING HISTORY ' PROGRAMS

Wh en folks th ink of donating to a mu seum , they usually think of don­ ating antiques for disp lay . This is great and we appreciate all those who have given their treasures over the years bu t there is a need for other kinds of items for our living history program .

From time to time we publish lists of such needs so tho se of you who might have items can help us out . These donations are also tax deductible . Here are some objects we currently need :

1. A silver tea service (tray , coffee pot, tea pot, cream and sugar) wh ich we can use for our forma l functions such as the annual tea dance , volunteer training , etc .

2. White linen table cloths and napk ins which can be used at Beekman house for the liv ing history programs . Part of our interpretive program there is serving afternoon tea and Mrs . Beekman would have never considered sitting at tab le without proper linens .

3. We need a working refrigerator with a freezing compartment for storage of cook ing items at Beekman House . The refrigerator wi ll be kept out of sight but used to store perishables .

4. A silve r plate table service for 6 or 8 which is appropriate to the period 19 16 to '20 for use at Beekman House . We have lovely silver from the Beekman 's but these are original arti­ facts wh ich should never be used .

If you have any of the se items , please call Dawna Curler at 899-1847 and we 'll be happy to pick them up . We 'll surely appreciate your help .

REMEMBER VOLUNTEER TRAINING

There will be volunteer training held on the following dates : March 12 , 10 to 4; March 14 , 10 to 4; March 14 , 7:30PM to 9; March 16 , lOAM to 12 :30; March 19 , 7:30PM to 9; March 19, lOAM to 4; March 21, 10 to 4; March 23 , lOAM to 12 :30; March 26 , 10 to 4; March 28 , lOAM to 4; March 28 , 7:30 PM to 9; and March 30, 10 to 12 : 30. Response has been good but we still need all of you . Please call Marge He to make a reservation rman at 899-1847 . We will apprec iate whatever time you can spare us in preserving our past!

22 THE TABLE ROCK SENTINEL WE 'RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD PEOPLE

Seasonal Interpreter applications for this surrmer 's living history program will be accepted at the Administrative Office (Armstrong House, 357 E. California) of S.O.H.S. through March 29 . The Seasonal Interpreter positions are part-time with starting salary of $3 .35 per hour . Seasonal Interpreters will wear historic costumes of the 19 10 era , play the roles of historic characters , and conduct public tours of the Beekman House and the Beekman Bank from May 20 through September 2, 19 85 . They will also be responsible for open­ ing and closing historic buildings on a daily basis and for the onsite supervision of volunteers also working in the program . These positions may also include some schedule hours as greeters at the Catholic Rectory , the Children 's Museum or the Courthouse Museum but major responsibilities will be with the living history program . Work schedules will generally 5 hours a day with a total of 20-25 hours each run week and will usually include weekends . 20 hours of required paid training will be conducted prior to May 20 . For those who would like to be involved with this program but do not have the time to commit to a steady work schedule, we are also offering many flexible-schedule volunteer pos itions for both living history characters and greeters . We will need folks of all ages, men as we ll as women . They will be portraying Beekman at the Beekman Bank (age 70) his bookkeeper (middle age) Mrs . Beekman and Mr. daughter Carrie at the house and their friends and relatives . We need a few teenagers who will pro tray Carrie 's piano students at the Beekman home . For more information on either paid or volunteer positions , please contact Dawna Curler or Marge Herman at 899-18 47 .

SPRING CALENDAR

March - Be sure and take note of the vo lunteer training schedu le given Elsewh ere in this news letter .

There wi ll be no sunday Social this month due to the Easter Holiday . Apr il 13 - Pear Blossom Festival Run - This year the parade will feature & a Centennial Theme . 18 - S.O.H.S. Bu s Tour To Crescent City (see further information in th e center insert of this newsletter� 26-27 - S.O.H.S. wi ll be hosting the Eight State Reg ional meeting of the Association for Living Historical Farms and Ag ricultural Museums . 28 - SUNDAY SOCIAL - "An Afternoon of Victorian Mu sic" This concert will be held in the ballroom of the U. S. Hote l in Jacksonville at 2:00PM and will feature period mu sic , both light and classical , by Mrs . Duane Clay , soprano ; Mr . Nick Clark , tenor ; and Mr . Ray Lewi s at the piano . Don't miss this---it 'll be a classic! ! May 1 - "A Century Of Sitting " an exhibit of chairs showing style changes to and trends from the 1850 's thru the early 20th century . Sweden- June 30 burg House Museum in Ashland . May 4-5 S.O.H.S. Bus Tour to Victoria , B.C. (see information in th e insert section of this newsletter) . May 17 S.O.H.S. Annual Membership Meeting - This year the soc iety will me et in the ballroom of the Ashland Hills Inn . After dinner and a short bu siness meeting , all will enjoy and evening of dancing .

MARCH 1985 23 CENTENNIAL BEGINS !

The Medford Centennial started on Feb . 25 wh en Dick McLaugh­ lin and members of the Medford Chamber of Commerce Greeters cut the ribbon on the Gazebo in Library Park . The Gazebo was built by Herb Gifford with donations from area citizens and bu sinesses. Cakes were de­ corated and over 200 roses planted about the area . There are many enjoyable events to followl

Photograph by Doug Smith

THE NEWSLflTER OF THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION SOUlHERN OREGON HISTORICAL SOC IETY 1 would like to purchase a membe rship the 206 Fifth St., P.O. Box 480 lfl N. Southern Oregon llistoricll Soc iety. Jacksonville, Oregon 97530 (503) 899· 1847

Name : Volume 5, No. 3, March 1985 ISSN: 0732-0523 Address : ------

City : St .

Zip: Phn : -----

JW1ior Historian (18 & W1der) {j .OO .$ Seniors (65 and over) IO.OO Individuals 12.00 rami ly IS.OO Contributor 25 .00 Business 50 .00 Donor 75.00 Sp onsor .. 100.00 Benefactor 250 .00 Grantor . . 500 .00 Life 1,000 .00

A membership in the society brings you the newsletter every month and access to a great deal of informa tion about what 's going on . It also makes a great gift !

Ma il to : Maureen Smith

S. O. ll. S. o P. O. Box 480 Jacksonvi lle , or� 97530

24 THE TAB LE ROCK SENTINEL