To the Editor of The Medford Mail: I am a reader of your newsy journal and I appreciate all the good things you are saying about Medford. I like Medford, I like her people and above all I like to trade with her business men. I like them so well that I drive eighteen miles every week to trade with them, but I want to tell you that I am going to quit right short unless the city passes an ordinance which will keep stock off of the streets. The last time I was in your city I had in my wagon a good-sized bundle of hay and a feed of oats for my horses, but when it came time to feed them they didn't eat the hay and oats I brought with me, but instead a feed at the livery stable--somebody's cow had eaten the feed I brought from home.
    I want to suggest a remedy. First, however, I am told that there are some poor families in Medford who gain a livelihood by selling milk from their cows, and that if there was an ordinance passed prohibiting their cows running at large it would work a great hardship upon these people who cannot afford to hire their cows pastured. Now for the remedy: Suppose those people were to club together and hire a boy to herd them. This could be done at an expense of about two bits per week for each cow. The boy could call for your cows in the evening and during the day he could herd them at various places in the suburbs of your city and provide them with better feed than they got running at large. Would not my suggestion, if carried out, be more profitable to the owners? There is a great amount of complaint coming from the farmers who do trading in your city upon the same grounds as I have entered my protest. Ofttimes butter, eggs and groceries are destroyed by cows reaching into farmers' wagons for feed. It would seem to me that something ought to be done. While I have a great amount of sympathy for your townspeople who keep cows I still have a little left for the farmers who trade in Medford.

    The rain storm of last Saturday and Sunday which was general throughout Oregon, Washington and California, was the worst one which has been experienced for years. From Saturday morning until last Sunday night the downpour was almost continuous--and the water came thick and fast. During the forty-odd-hour rain ending Sunday night, the rainfall as reported at Medford has been 2.43 inches.
    Sunday forenoon the many spectators who stood watching the muddy waters of Bear Creek go rushing through our city were not watchers long ere 'twas noticed that one bent near the east end of the bridge was sinking slowly from a line of level. This kept sinking until Monday morning when it had gone down five or six feet and very near to the water's edge, in which position it still remains. This sinking was caused by the water cutting into the east bank and taking away and loosening a couple of tiers of piling. Aside from this, which can easily be repaired, the bridge is in as good shape as ever.
    At the Central Point Bear Creek bridge one of the approaches was taken away and the current so changed as to form a good-sized creek between the mainland and the bridge.
    Sunday afternoon the water ditch south of the city overflowed, and nearly the whole country between the Earhart ranch and the city was one solid sheet of water. On South C Street there was a perfect current of water which went tumbling down across resident lots and into Bear Creek.
    Bear Creek, as we have before stated, is a wicked little stream when she gets to feeling that way, and she was in that notion Saturday and Sunday very hard. Many acres of good land has undoubtedly been washed away, and consequently a great amount of damage has been done. The creek is said to have been higher Sunday afternoon than it has been before for many years.
Excerpt, Medford Mail, January 19, 1894, page 3


    Chas. Pheister, of Bourbon, Inc., arrived in Medford last week and will remain here permanently. He is a son of Jacob Pheister.
    A. J. Breazeale, of Hillsboro, Oregon, is here looking for a farm location. He likes the Rogue River Valley, intends locating and has written his family to pack their chattels and get here at once.
    Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Tabor, of Sonoma County, California, arrived in Medford last Wednesday and are to remain permanently. These people are mother and stepfather of M. M. Pickering, and were a few years ago residents of Ashland for a short time.
    H. H. McCarthy returned last week from Portland and will in all probability make Medford his home for an indefinite time. As to what business he will engage in we are not authorized to make mention. He is an all-round good fellow and The Mail hopes he may strike something lucrative.
    Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Ingledue, of Elma, Washington, but formerly of Gratiot County, Michigan, are among the recent arrivals in Medford. Mr. Ingledue is a carpenter by trade and will probably soon buy a piece of resident property and erect a dwelling house thereon. They are now occupying the T. W. Johnson residence.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, January 19, 1894, page 3


    W. H. Hembree, the Medford Mail says, will commence the manufacture of a baking powder there to be called the "Pride of the Valley." He was formerly employed as a miller in Davis' mill.
"Pressed Bricks," Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, January 25, 1894, page 1


    Henry Klippel is a candidate for deputy internal revenue collector.
    Hon. C. Mingus of Ashland is preparing his farm for this season's production.
    J. A. Slover went to Dunsmuir Sunday to meet his wife on her return from San Francisco.
    Julius Goldsmith, formerly a resident of this place, has bought a cigar and candy store at Eugene and gone into business there.
    G. W. Bashford of the brewery and ice factory was in Ashland yesterday, and if he does not succeed in selling his plant will conduct the same this year.




    G. B. Lindley has purchased a five-acre tract of land in the Roberts & O'Neil addition from John Reed.
    Wallace Woods has received his first consignment of lumber from the Sugar Pine Door and Lumber Company [in Grants Pass].
    Landlord Purdin is having his resident property on C Street repaired, preparatory to moving his family from Hotel Medford thereto.
    S. A. D. Higgins is having his temperance billiard hall papered and refinished throughout, preparatory to opening a saloon therein.
    The featherweight, M. Alford, changed his place of residence Tuesday from M. Purdin's residence to M. S. Damon's place, corner of C and Tenth streets.
    Bunco lightning rod men have been operating in Marion County. Any Oregon man who is foolish enough to invest a cent in lightning rods deserves no sympathy.
    Of the sixty-odd shade trees set out in the city park last year, only about thirty-five of them are living. The reason for so many dying is attributed to their having been too large at time of setting.
    G. L. Webb has a fence machine, but he is not going to institute any opposition to Mr. Fredenburg. The machine was taken on a debt over at Lakeview and was brought over from that place a few weeks ago. He wants to sell.
    Z. Maxcy and G. L. Davis are figuring on going into poultry culture on a big scale--hatch the chicks with incubators and rear them--from the cradle to the grave--with a [view] only to profit, and on business principles--from the incubator to the San Francisco market. There ought to be good money in the enterprise if conducted as mapped out by these gentlemen.
    Secretary Buchanan, of the Medford-Jacksonville railroad, is here and yesterday afternoon closed a deal with C. F. Lewis to act as engineer on the company's road and John Dyer, conductor.
    Robt. Lawton, son of J. W. Lawton, has accepted a position as clerk a nd pharmaceutical student in Mayor Haskins' drug store. He is a very bright young man and will make a thorough, competent businessman unless his looks and movements greatly belie him.
    Clarence Kellogg, together with several other accomplishments, is nothing slow as a taxidermist. Gaze upon that owl he recently put up for J. A. Whiteside and you will agree with us. The bird may be seen in one of Beek, Whiteside & Co.'s show windows.
    One week from tonight, February 2nd, the Medford dancing club will give a Mother Hubbard dance in the opera house. Gentlemen as well as ladies are supposed to wear Mother Hubbard dresses and masks. None admitted in costume and to dance except those invited. A general invitation is extended to spectators. Admission to dance 50 cents; spectators 10 cents.
    The Medford Bear Creek bridge is still awaiting repairs. The ford near the bridge is being used, but is not altogether safe, as was demonstrated one day this week when a gentleman in crossing with horse and buggy was caught by the swift current and the whole outfit was carried some distance below before the opposite bank could be gained. The bridge should be repaired at once and save all this dangerous fording.
    Weeks Bros. brought to Medford from their factory at Phoenix, Tuesday, a full wagonload of furniture. These people have engaged the services of W. H. McGowan, son-in-law of one of the firm, as their Medford salesman, and the gentleman expects to commence housekeeping in the city as soon as Mrs. McGowan shall have recovered her usual good health. The lady has been very ill but is now able to be about the house and improving rapidly.
    Henry Demorest writes from Neche, North Dakota, that he and Mrs. Demorest will return to Medford as soon as he shall have finished his studies in dentistry. The thermometer has been down as low as forty below in that country, and one can well imagine that such weather is a decided breeder of displeasure to people who have lived in Southern Oregon. Henry expects to go into business with his brother, O. F. Demorest, upon his return.
    Wm. Ulrich, manager of the Southern Oregon Pork Packing Company of this city, reports that his company now has on hand $30,000 worth of cured bacon, hams, shoulders and rendered lard. The accumulation of these valuable products of the hog is the result of the past few months' work. This institution is surely one of the best enterprises ever put in operation in the valley for the farmers, and we might include mechanics, merchants and--everybody.
    W. E. Coul, the irrigation ditch man, we understand has decided to change his place of residence from Central Point to Medford and that tomorrow or Monday he will be here, and booked for a permanent stay. He will probably take rooms for his company in the Hamlin block. The coming of Mr. C. to Medford means a prospect for a new tingle of life in our water power proposition. It will be remembered that it was about this time last year that he made the city a proposition as to putting in a thorough and adequate water system, which in all probability would have been accepted at that time had not the Leadbetter railroad scheme been uppermost in our citizens' minds. As to whether a second proposition is to be made or not we are unable to state.
    Geo. Merriman: "When there is another man to graduate from that Seventh Street blacksmith shop of mine it will be George F. Merriman, and I'm going into the millinery business and 'tend shop myself. There is Landlord Purdin--he used to be a partner of mine and I graduated him to the position of landlord and he is now making more money than anyone. Following him was W. P. H. Legate. I bought out his interest in the blacksmith business. What did he do? Bought a grocery store and he is now wearing diamonds, smoking cigarettes and is an all 'round dandy. Say, I'm looking for anyone who wants to buy a blacksmith shop--that millinery business that I'm going to get requires my undivided personal attention."
    We regret that we are called upon this week to chronicle the death of little Nina, the ten-year-old daughter of W. J. Sturgis, who recently arrived in Medford from Iowa. The child was at Sunday school last Sunday and the same afternoon was taken ill with an attack of la grippe which culminated in a severe attack of inflammation of the lungs and stomach resulting in death on Tuesday. These people are almost strangers among us, but their residence has been sufficiently long to make for them many friends whose earnest and heartfelt sympathy is extended to them in their hour of deep affliction and sorrow. Mr. Sturgis desires us to say that the family feel that the physician did all that could be done by anyone, but as the child has inherited a weak heart the case was a difficult one, her malady being that of inflammation of the lungs and stomach.
    Charlie Nickell is big enough to be an excellent horseman, but his little escapade in Medford last Friday books him as [having] no prowess in that line. He was driving into Medford from Jacksonville, and when near the S.P. depot a gentle zephyr raised his hat from those well-cared-for locks of his and landed it in close proximity to his horse's heels. The animal became frightened and Charlie, undoubtedly thinking of the great altitude at which collectorship plums roost, did the one thing which he ought not to have done--he let go of the reins and the horse began gyrating 'round about in a manner highly amusing to the spectators but hardly so to Charlie. The harder he pulled the one rein the faster gyrated the quadruped--all the same merry-go-round. Affairs became desperate and Charlie grasped the situation, let go of himself and the buggy and fell kerplunk in about six inches of mud--in no way disabled but horribly disfigured with mud--his waxed mustache unwaxed and his Sunday pants triple-plated with Medford mud.
"All the Local News," Medford Mail, January 26, 1894, page 3


    H. U. Lumsden is up from Portland for a couple of weeks' business stay. The gentleman has considerable valuable landed interests in various parts of Medford.
    W. H. Parker and family returned from San Francisco Monday night, fully satisfied that Jackson County is the only habitation which is entirely suited to the liking of those who have resided therein and enjoyed her pleasures and comforts for any great length of time. The people who seek California for a pleasant winter's stay are usually booked for disappointment, and Mr. Parker openly admits that he is one of the disappointed.
    Miss Maggie Tice returned to Medford last week from Grants Pass, at which place she was employed in one of the hotels recently burned. The lady came near being burned to death in the conflagration, as she would not leave her room until help came to assist in removing her trunk. No amount of persuading would induce her to part with the trunk and to save her life the trunk was taken out even though the building was then in flames and the walls liable to fall at any time. Her cousin, Carrie, was less fortunate, as all her clothing was burned.
    Attorney W. I. Vawter and T. W. Johnson were at Ashland last Saturday night. Mr. Vawter was there for the purpose of installing officers in the I.O.O.F. lodge, and Wes went along to keep him company and assist in the installation work. They were to return on Sunday evening's train but they didn't--the train was ten hours late. Rather than wait for it they, to use an expression peculiar to the occasion, "hit the ties" and landed in Medford about six o'clock, having been on the road four hours. A little distance up the road they met a professional 'round the world tourist who, thinking they were looking for employment, volunteered the information that they were going the wrong way as there was no work and plenty of water up in the Willamette country, but added that as they were well dressed they could get something to eat almost anyplace.
    Rev. J. Merley and wife arrived in Medford Monday morning from a quite extended visit in California. These people are friends of Mr. and Mrs. C. I. Hutchison and are formerly from Denver, Indiana. They were in Medford about three months ago and while here were driven about the country and thereby an opportunity given to get a good look at our wondrous fruit crop. These people left after a few weeks for California and after traveling in that state for three months they now find themselves again with us, but this time they are here to remain.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, January 26, 1894, page 3


    Medford has a 10-mill school tax.
    The Southern Oregon Pork Packing Co. has $30,000 worth of bacon on hand.
"Pressed Bricks," Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, February 1, 1894, page 1


    A. Fetsch, the Medford merchant tailor, was in town yesterday accompanied by his brother of Grants Pass, who is also in the tailoring business there.
"Personal and Social," Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, February 1, 1894, page 3


    The 10-year-old daughter of W. J. Sturgis died on the 23d.
    R. R. Dunn was here this week. He formerly represented Staver & Walker, but is now with the Wheeler & Wilson Co. in San Francisco.
    The fame of Johnny Barnum, "the youngest railroad conductor in the world," is no more. His father, W. S. Barnum, after one year's lease of the Jacksonville branch railroad, has had his fill of being a railroad magnate, and along with Leadbetter is no longer connected with the road, and Honeyman, DeHart & Co. are again running it with John Dyar as conductor, C. F. Lewis engineer, Marion Tryer fireman.
Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, February 1, 1894, page 3


    J. W. Hockersmith's special train of 21 cars will leave Ashland about 4 o'clock. The load is made up of cattle, sheep and hogs for the San Francisco market. The hogs and sheep were loaded at Medford. The cattle at the yards of Ashland at present came from the bands of Barron, Butler and Wells. Gen. Barron goes along as chief "buccaroo." He will punch up the downtrodden steers and afterwards take in the midwinter fair.
Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, February 1, 1894, page 3


    Last year was a dull one everywhere, but the number of new buildings which were erected in Medford during that period is evidence positive that this city was one of the few excepted subjects in the track of the hard times thoroughfare.
    If upon all the small tracts of land now being sold adjacent to Medford there are built suitable buildings and the plats are planted to fruit, and the grounds cared for according to the plans mapped out, suburban Medford will be one of much beauty and great joy to all residents.
Editorial, Medford Mail, February 2, 1894, page 2


    Marion Tryer is still "firing" on the shortline--the new man couldn't fill the bill.
    Sunday was a beautiful spring-like day and the streets were crowded with people out for a walk.
    The recent heavy rains are reported to have raised sad havoc with many of the public highways.
    The Medford-Jacksonville shortline is now making three daily round trips, Sundays included.
    Chas. Pheister, a recent arrival, is now housekeeping in M. S. Damon's new residence on D Street.
    Messrs. Roberts & O'Neil have been putting down a new sidewalk in front of their C Street business property.
    The new signs about our city are most plentiful, noticeable among them being one in front of I. M. Muller's grocery store, The Fair and The Mail.
    Notice of removal of principal office of the Jackson County Flume & Irrigation Company, from Central Point to Medford, appears elsewhere in this paper.
    Oldtimers tell us that nothing is a more familiar sight--and pleasing as well--as to gaze upon John Dyer as conductor on the Medford-Jacksonville shortline.
    Al. Wright on Wednesday moved his family from the Lumsden property to a vacant building on South Front Street. Rev. Merley will occupy the residence vacated by Mr. Wright.
    The S.P. has taken off its regular daily freight and now a train is run only three times a week. This is due to slack business and the company's avowed intentions of cutting expenses.
    E. Wilkinson, the Seventh Street meat man, hasn't been asleep these past fall and winter months, but instead has been doing a good amount of work in curing pork. He reports that he has killed 420 hogs to date, the value of which in cured meats and rendered lard amount to very close onto $5,000. For one who makes not much of a stir in this line of business Ed. can truly be said to be somewhat in the hog trade himself.
    Last Friday there was born, to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Scott, a girl. We regret to announce in this same item the death of the infant, which occurred on the Sunday following.
    The ladies of the Women's  Christian Temperance Union will meet here after at the Christian Church on Wednesday of each week beginning Wednesday, Feb. 7th, until further notice. Mrs. L. L. Angle, secretary.
    W. A. Buchanan is responsible for the report that a depot will be built at the Orchard Home fruit farm now pretty soon. The shortline intersects this tract of land, and while it is only a little more than a mile from Medford it will be convenient to have the train stop at that point.
    A ten-acre tract of land, located in the Harbaugh addition, was this week sold to Chas. Pheister for $800. Mr. Pheister intends building thereon, and plant the ground to trees. The property was formerly owned by E. Brown, and the sale was made through the agency of Hamilton & Palm.
    Last week J. A. Whitman shipped four carloads of apples. One to Butte, Mont., one to Houston, Texas, one to Wichita, Kansas, and one to Eau Claire, Wis. These are long-distance shipments, but when a sample of Oregon apples is displayed, no matter how distant the point, there is always a good order for more sure to follow.
    J. H. Ward is improving his four-and-a-half-acre tract, in southwest Medford, to quite an extent this spring. Among the improvements is the setting out of 300 petite prune trees, 100 peach trees and several apple, apricot and almond trees. Mr. W. tells us that his brother writes from Idaho stating that if he can purchase eighty or one hundred acres of ranch land hereabouts he will move to these parts at once--this is a tip to real estate dealers.
    Medford is unquestionably the most important shipping point in the Rogue River Valley. The Mail has made mention at various different times of the shipment of from four to eight carloads of stock from this place--an item of this nature having appeared nearly every week since early last fall. This week we have increased the number to a trainload of twenty cars which were shipped yesterday to San Francisco by J. W. Hockersmith, and included hogs, cattle and sheep.
    C. F. Lewis took his position in the cab of the engine on the Medford-Jacksonville shortline Saturday morning and opened the throttle with an aptness that told plainly of his experience in that line of employment. Mr. Lewis is--if anyone should ask you--considerable of a joker and The Mail was recently made the butt of one of his periodical spells of humor when he walked into our shop and asked for the kindergarten man of the shop. This was a pretty good turn at humor and was fully appreciated, but since Charlie has taken a position in the cab of the "peanut roaster" he isn't saying anything about kindergartens.
    Complaint comes to us of a considerable reckless shooting of firearms in many parts of the residence portions of Medford. While of course nearly all of us have our little sportive fancies we should endeavor to so indulge them as not to interfere with the rights and safety of others. Mr. Loynachan reports that only a few days ago there was a little session of target shooting out near his place and that a bullet from one of the revolvers came whizzing over toward his house and passed within a few feet of his little girl, who was playing in the yard. The authorities should see to it that a stop is put to this practice at once and by so doing prevent possible fatal results.
    T. W. Johnson--known everywhere as "Wes"--has purchased C. W. Wolters' delivery horse and wagon, and a combination has been formed with John Curry whereby these two gentlemen will do the major portion of the delivery business in Medford and to make the track one of clear sailing they have arranged with Mr. Bish to "pull off." These gentlemen will travel well in team harness, and if they treat their patrons as square as 'tis anticipated they will, they have a good paying business ahead of them.
    A decree of divorce has been granted to W. B. Roberts and P. B. O'Neil--that is, they have dissolved partnership after having been associated together under the firm name of Roberts & O'Neil for twenty-three years. During this time a fortune of many thousand dollars has been accumulated and which is now divided without the least shadow of litigation--each taking an equal share of notes, mortgages and real estate. Mr. O'Neil expects to leave for California in a week or two to attend to his landed interests in that state, and he will make his home either at Napa or San Jose--with an occasional visit to Medford sandwiched in .
    Things have changed since Hannah died--that is to say, since Charlie Lewis began pulling the throttle on the Medford-Jacksonville shortline he "opens her wide" when leaving the Jacksonville depot, and when Charlie Nickell, who has been in the habit of riding from that place to his office on the train, made his trial trip with Mr. Lewis this week it wasn't as successful a venture, from Mr. Nickell's way of looking at it, as it might have been. He attempted to stop at his office but did not come to a stand still until he reached a corner of the fence around the courthouse. He is said to have "fanned wind" in the most approved style.
    A very successful surgical operation was performed in Medford last Monday, it being that of the removal of an ovarian tumor from Mrs. Wm. Turner. The operating surgeon being Dr. E. P. Geary of this city, assisted by Drs. J. B. Wait and J. S. Parsons, of Medford and Ashland. The tumor weighed forty-two pounds and had been two years in attaining this growth. This is the first operation of the kind which has ever been performed in Southern Oregon, and because that it is proving to be so successful an one is a matter in which much credit is due the operators. The age of the patient--sixty years--made it a more dangerous operation than it would have been had she been younger. The lady is at present resting very nicely and has almost reached a point at which she may be considered out of danger. A remarkable feature of the operation is that not a particle of fever has existed since the tumor was removed. This may be accounted for by the great precaution used by the operators in not permitting a particle of disease germ to enter the incision--this being accomplished by boiling all instruments used, and taking all other precautions which modern surgery provides in such cases.
"All the Local News," Medford Mail, February 2, 1894, page 3


    F. K. Deuel, of Chillicothe, Mo., is in the metropolis figuring on the advisability of opening a dry goods store.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, February 2, 1894, page 3


    The Medford dancing club gave a Mother Hubbard ball at the opera house, which was a success. They will give a poverty ball a week from Tuesday, the proceeds to go to charity work. It will be well patronized.
    The case of W. H. Barr and E. G. Hurt vs. the Hammersly boys for $140 damages is on trial before Justice Walton. The suit grew out of the runaway accident resulting from two teams running into each other one dark night last summer.
    The Grand Orient is the name of a new order which, in its brief career of six weeks, has some 70 members. While I don't care to rail at secret societies in particular, I am constrained to say that the Grand Orient was not created by the author of the Y.M.C.A. or the Christian Endeavor Society.
    The dissolution of partnership of Roberts & O'Neil, the capitalists, means more pressing times hereabouts, for it is reported that their notes and mortgages are to be collected up in full, and as one of the gentlemen will probably move to California this will lift many thousands of dollars right out of the county.
"Medford Items," Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, February 8, 1894, page 2


    Medford has made a record during the past year as a stock shipping point. The number of cars shipped, as given The Mail by agent Lippincott, reaches an even eighty-four. When to this is added about three thousand hogs which have been killed and the meat cured in the packing houses in this city, the major portion of which will be shipped later, the importance of our city in that line can be easily seen.
Editorial, Medford Mail, February 9, 1894, page 2


    Rumor tells us there is to be erected this spring a new brick block on the corner of C and Seventh Street.
    S. S. Strayer and family, recent arrivals from Iowa, have commenced housekeeping in the Grossman residence on Sixth Street.
    Mrs. Turner, the lady who had a tumor removed last week, is reported to be rapidly improving in health and is now considered out of danger.
    S. H. Murray, who has been quite ill during the past four or six weeks with typhoid fever, is now improving--and The Mail is glad of a chance to say so.
    Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Kellogg are now nicely ensconced in their neat, new cottage residence, corner B and Fifth streets. Mrs. Jason Kellogg, Clarence's mother, will make her home with them for a time.
    The Fish tract of land, south and a little west of Medford, is reported to be selling very rapidly, in quantities form twenty to fifty acres, and at $35 per acre. Parties buying this land expect to clear the same and plant it to fruit.
    Those red flags which you see flashing in and out of the various stores and which are suspended from awning posts are not auction banners, neither are they smallpox indicators, but simply a call for the delivery man to get a move on himself and deliver goods.
    There are big beets, little beets and deadbeats, but the biggest beet on exhibition in this city--in the vegetable family--is the one hanging out in front of Miller's grocery store. It was grown by L. G. Porter, just across Bear Creek, and weighs twenty-three pounds.
    Dr. T. H. West is slowly recovering from injuries sustained a few weeks ago. The doctor, while leading one of his horses by the halter, got his hand caught in the lead strap and was dragged around a field several times before he could be extricated from his perilous position. Mrs. West came to the rescue and by courageous and careful maneuvering succeeded in catching the animal.
    George Isaacs, Jr., has purchased G. A. Buffington's interest in the Palace Barber Shop and he and Pete Henderson will conduct the same hereafter. Pete is a very clever man with the razor and George is catching on quite nicely himself. They will make good, steady everyday in the week workers and will make a success in the new combination. Mr. Buffington will seek a location in some California town.
    Rev. Williams was one of the very early-day settlers in Jackson County. During his residence here, which must be near onto forty years, he has performed a great many marriage ceremonies, and now he is being called upon to perform the same services for the children of those whom he united in marriage years ago. Rev. Williams is a very fine old gentleman and his friends are many and are situated in all parts of the county.
    Newspapermen are almost always spoken of as people "without a dollar." In rebuttal of this assertion and in the line of a little item of news we desire to say that The Mail has this week purchased from attorney W. I. Vawter lots 7, 8, 9 and 10, block, 66, original Medford, and that we are going to build a residence thereon sometime during the next decade. The property is across the street, east, from George Deiderick's place, corner Fifth and I.
    At the meeting of the city council last Monday night a dog ordinance was passed which compels owners of those alleged pets to pay a tax of $1.25 for each male dog and $2.25 for each female dog. The water rate was raised as follows: For all hydrants used for irrigating purposes, raised from $9 to $12 per year, street hydrants, raised from $4 to $6; special rates on hotels, barber shops, with bathrooms in connection, $10 per year; livery stables and butcher shops, $15 per year.
    Frank Wait came near being a loser of one of his big horses last Saturday. He had driven out into Bear Creek and as he supposed was in a comparatively safe place when one of his horses stepped into a hole which seemed almost bottomless. Frank jumped into the water and for a time it was a question as to whether he or the horse was under water the greatest length of time. After a struggle of several minutes the animal gained a footing--as well as Frank--and both horses and man came safely to shore.
    A subscriber: "I noticed in an issue of your paper of a few weeks ago that you recommended that all pedestrians on the street should turn to the right. I like your idea. If there is anything that pleases me more than another it is to know when I meet a person on the street which side of the walk they are going to take. There would be a great commotion in the cities if there was not an established rule to guide the many pedestrians. Turn to the right always and be right--this applies to ladies as well as gentlemen."
    There has been another divorce granted in business circles this week. B. F. Adkins and B. S. Webb, who have been doing team work together for the past ten years, have severed the chain that bound and will drive in single harness hereafter. Their prosperity dates from their first advent in Medford and they are both possessed of many of the chattels and acres of fertile soil which help to make life worth staying here. No person has aught to say of them but they are square, honorable men and have always been such in their business transactions. The large brick block, corner C and Seventh streets, is now owned by Mr. Adkins.
    A corn doctor, named Hanna, and a woman calling herself Dr. Annie Wilder were arrested at Grants Pass last week and fined $25 for giving an exhibition and charging an admission without a city license. These two were in Medford last Thursday and were figuring on opening up for a two weeks' stay. They went to Jacksonville the same evening but returned Sunday morning and took the southbound passenger, evidently satisfied that this section of the blooming Rogue was not the most favored spot for bilks and bilkesses. The woman claimed to be a spiritualist and gave seances. Hanna claimed to be a footologist, professionally, but practically manager for Dr. Annie--genius had taken a new flight, spirits were above soles and he had dropped the carver and taken up the robe. The Eugene Guard says they left a number of bills unpaid in that city.
    The masquerade Mother Hubbard ball given last Friday evening was considerable of a success. There were about fifty maskers who took part in the dance. They were about "'alf and 'alf"--that is, about half of them were ladies and about half were gentlemen, yet the distinction was hardly noticeable until after the masks were removed, as all wore Mother Hubbard dresses and, some of them, faces so hideous that their significance was past finding out. There were all styles and colors of Mother Hubbard. In color their costumes were white, red, blue, spotted, pink, green and black--red predominating. Bert Whitman wore a spotted Mother Hubbard, a chocolate mask, and a "wrong font" gait--supposedly in imitation of a lady's walk but a long ways shy of the mark at which it was aimed. Shiner wore a duplicate of Bert's costume except the walk. Bob Galloway wore a gunny sack cut decollete in two places, a chocolate face and the general makeup of Topsy. A. J. McLeod was there with a face that resembled the last sad days of a wrecked life, and as he was leading the grand march attorney Caldwell was heard to remark that if he ever did any more cattle herding he wanted that face to lead the band with. All other maskers wore just ordinary wire masks or dominoes. While the Mother Hubbard is not just the style of dress that we would go wild over in our admiration, yet the ladies, nearly all of them, used such good taste in preparing and decorating their costumes as to make even this a pleasing gown to look upon. We almost forgot to mention that John Barneburg was there but owing to the absence of a mask on the back of his head his disguise was incomplete. The spectators numbered about one hundred and the cash deposited with doorkeeper Nicholson amounted to about $30. Mr. and Mrs. W. Simmons and I. Woolf furnished the music, and Taylor Payne was master of ceremonies.
"All the Local News," Medford Mail, February 9, 1894, page 3


    S. S. Wilson, of Woodland, Calif., and brother of Councilman J. R. Wilson, arrived in Medford Monday evening. He will probably remain in Medford permanently.
    Benj. Eggleston and family have moved to Ashland, at which place they have real estate interests which require their attention. Mr. Eggleston reports that he has done a good business in the purchase of fruit in Medford and that there is still a good bit of work to be done in the purchase of apples which farmers have been holding.
    L. B. Warner, of Portland, arrived in Medford last Friday. The gentleman has been engaged in the insurance business in Portland but has decided to make Medford his future home and will engage in like business here. His family will arrive in a few weeks--his daughter is now giving lessons in voice culture at Salem. These people are friends of Dr. Odgers and family.
    Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Grant expect to leave about the first of March for San Francisco and from there to various eastern points. After a sojourn of several months they will return to Medford. The doctor's health has greatly improved during his stay in Medford. Dr. Grant and his good wife are of the class of people which make good citizens and they cannot return too quick to suit us all.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, February 9, 1894, page 3


    Adkins & Webb have dissolved partnership.
    The case of Barr and Hurt vs. the Hammersly boys resulted in a verdict for plaintiffs for $60. An appeal will be taken to the circuit court.
    P. B. Theiss returned last evening from a business trip in the interest of the distillery as far south as Carson, Nev., and Los Angeles. He did considerable business despite the hard times.
    W. E. Coul, the flume and irrigating company's engineer, has opened his office in Medford. He made one of the finest maps ever seen in this section. Engineer Roberts is in England visiting his folks, but will be back in March.
    It is reported that Max Muller will not be a candidate for county clerk for the fourth term, but will decline in favor of his son, Isaac Muller, of this city. Max evidently figures that the clerk's office is the property of the family.
    Ed. Hendricks, of Applegate, left Tuesday for San Francisco with a carload of his fine selected Bellflower and Newtown apples from his farm. Ed. was once nipped to the tune of $500 by a commission house and now attends to his own business.
    It is reported that C. H. Pierce, formerly of Medford, who owns a big tract of Klamath River timberland, has been appointed general passenger and freight agent of the Washington Southern Railway of Seattle. Mr. Pierce is a clearheaded business man with great mental resources, and the company secured a very capable man when they appointed him.
    John Wolters, the baker and early pioneer citizen of Jackson County, died at the home of his son, Chas. W. Wolters, in this place Monday evening from dropsy, his age being well along in the 80s. The funeral will be under the auspices of the I.O.O.F. lodge. Three children survive him, H. H. and C. W. Wolters, of this city, and Mrs. Helms of San Francisco. The deceased was highly esteemed by all the old pioneers with whom he was associated in the planting of civilization in Southern Oregon.
Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, February 15, 1894, page 3


    John Wolters, a gentleman well known in the county, died at Medford Monday and was buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery Tuesday afternoon. He has two sons, Charles and Ham Wolters, prosperous business men of Medford. Mr. Wolters kept the bakery here for a number of years.
"Jacksonville Jottings," Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, February 15, 1894, page 3

    P.S.  The farmer that brings eggs, butter, flour, potatoes, corn and wheat to town must always unloads before he leaves his team, and when he does he should leave a boy to watch it.
Medford Mail, February 16, 1894, page 2

    Last Saturday morning as the clocks of this city were ticking the half hour between one and two an alarm of fire was sounded, and in a very short time the then-sleeping citizens were congregated on D Street to lend all possible assistance in squelching the flames of fire, which were carrying destruction of property on their heated travels. The story of this conflagration is briefly told below:
    About one-thirty Saturday morning boarders sleeping in the south tier of rooms in the Hotel Medford were awakened by the cracking of flames and the breaking in of heated window glass. Paul Schiessler was one of the first to be awakened, and his shouts soon awakened the hotel clerk, Joe Savage, who immediately gave a general alarm and who, after locating the fire in the adjoining building, started for the hose house. By the time he had the doors opened there were others at hand who assisted in bringing the hose cart to the fire scene. No sooner was the cart on the ground than was the hose unreeled, attached to the hydrants and two streams of water were soon pouring over the then fast-consuming one-story wooden building adjoining the hotel on the south.
    The fire is supposed to have started from a stove on the rear of the tailoring establishment of A. Fetsch, while there are some of the opinion that it started either in the Hotel Medford ice house or between it and the tailor shop. However, it started, and before the flames were squelched the real estate office occupied by Hamilton & Palm, A. Fetsch's tailoring establishment, the Roxy Ann Saloon, occupied by F. Lutkemeier, and the lunch counter in the same room owned by Paul Schiessler, were entirely destroyed together with their contents. Adjoining the Roxy Ann Saloon is the two-story wooden building owned by S. H. Lyon, now residing at St. Regis Falls, N.Y., and the north side of this was badly burned. The wonder of all who witnessed the fire and who have visited the scene is how could this building have possibly been saved, but the brave and untiring work of the firemen and many citizens explains the situation. Had this building burned, the adjoining saloon and residence of Jas. Coeti would have surely met a like fate, but in the case of Mr. Coeti the loss would only have been to the building as he had removed all his goods and household effects. The damage to the Hotel Medford is no small item, as all the five window frames and sash on the south side were completely destroyed and the interior of a number of the rooms badly burned. Added to this is the damage to the bedding, which when it caught fire was thrown from the windows to keep the flames from spreading and getting into the partitions. The value of property destroyed is given below:
    First building adjoining Hotel Medford, owned by Gaines & Charles, $400; insured for $200.
    Second building owned by Mrs. Stanley, $500; no insurance.
    Third building owned by S. H. Lyon, north side partially burned, damage $200; no insurance.
    Hamilton & Palm, office furniture, plats, etc., $200; no insurance.
    A. Fetsch, stock of goods and all the implements of his trade, $1500; insurance $700.
    F. Lutkemeier, saloon fixtures and stock, $500; no insurance.
    Paul Schiessler, lunch counter, dishes, stove, and other articles necessary in his business, $100; no insurance.
    M. Purdin, bedding burned and damage to furniture and bar fixtures, $300; fully insured. Damage to hotel building $200; fully insured.

Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, March 22, 1894, page 3


    G. P. Lindley returned Monday from a six weeks' visit in the state of Iowa.
    Wm. Ulrich ships a carload of P. W. Olwell's hogs to San Francisco this week.
    The land question plank of the Omaha platform will be the topic for discussion at the populist club Saturday evening.
    C Street is being graded up and improved. It will be the handsomest street in Southern Oregon before another year rolls around.
    A petition has been numerously signed and forwarded asking the county court to appropriate $500 of the road fund for the road between here and Jacksonville.
    A son was born to the wife of Joe Hockersmith Friday. This settles the question of the deputy sheriffship after July 1st. The boy was promptly baptized and named Independent Hockersmith.
    Profs. Narregan and Jacobs, of the Medford public school, have about completed arrangements with the Jacksonville public school for a joint May Day picnic to be held in the grove near I. W. Thomas' place.
    The cow ordinance goes into effect on the 15th, so that there will be no more animals running about the town at large hereafter. This will start the planting of shade trees to beautify the town. Medford is progressing immensely.
    R. N. Tabor and wife, who have been visiting here some months, returned home to Santa Rosa, Cal., this week. Macy Pickering, our scientific and energetic vulcan, accompanied them as far as Ashland, returning on the evening train.
    Medford and Ashland having stood aside last year and let Jacksonville and Central Point celebrate the 4th of July, both these towns will undoubtedly return the compliment this season. Medford's celebration will probably be held in the grove between this town and the county seat.
    Our townspeople who don't believe in any further hell after leaving this mundane sphere have arranged for a series of meetings beginning April 12th. Rev. Q. H. Schinn, of Galesburg, Ill., president and national organizer of the Universalist denomination, will address the people. He is an able and wonderfully eloquent talker and reasoner.
Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, April 5, 1894, page 3

    MEDFORD, Or., July 20.--The machinery for the Medford electric light works arrived by today's freight. The work of placing it in position will be begun at once and rapidly pushed to completion, and it will not be long until the city will be lighted by electricity. The manager, Mr. Baird, is expected to arrive from Portland in a few days.
    The fruit crop in this section is good, and the market is filled with all kinds of fruit. A large quantity will soon be ready for shipment. Fruitgrowers here are anxiously awaiting the settlement of the strike, so that the product of their orchards can be put on the markets.
Morning Oregonian, July 21, 1894, page 3