HOME

The Infamous Black Bird Southern Oregon History, Revised


Intercity Rivalry

Also see Who's Snooty Now?
    In company with Jacob Wagner, the Tidings editor took a ride through a good portion of the central part of the valley last Saturday, stopping at all the towns and budding cities on the route. At nearly every town the citizens appeared to think that every other town in the valley was on its last legs, and that theirs was to be the chief city of the county. 
"Through the Valley," Ashland Tidings, October 30, 1885, page 3


    The principal towns exhibit the usual petty rivalries toward their neighbors, but as each has its own special territory--Grants Pass and Ashland being at either end, Medford in the center, and Jacksonville at the southern boundary of the valley proper--their interests are identical, and each in the main does its share toward the greater development and glory of the famed Rogue River Valley.
P. W. Croake, The Rogue River Valley, "The Italy of Oregon," Glass & Prudhomme, Portland, Oregon, page 27. Undated, written March 1891.


    Spikenard post office is now a postal note office. That means it does $2 worth or more of business per annum. It has done over $50 worth of business during September. The gross receipts for the current quarter will be about $70. In the face of this fact there are some dudes who undertake to tell us that we are in the back woods, have no country etc. It is a libel on one of the finest little valleys in Oregon. What we need here, and we are only one of many communities, is a few more live men who will work for their particular locality without libeling every other one in the county. California and Washington forge ahead of us because their people are loyal to the state and the interests of the state. When Oregonians peel off their coats and go to work for Oregon we will have a boom. Talk up your town or neighborhood, work for it, invite settlers, and do not rob them when they come; build decent schoolhouses, improve your roads, speak well of your neighbors, or say nothing; go to church on the Sabbath, rather than go hunting; set and care for an orchard, drink less rotgut whisky, keep fewer cattle of a better grade and feed and care well for these, and see if your country does not boom. Stop cursing Oregon and hire someone to kick you until you get a move on yourself, and you will notice a vast improvement in your neighborhood, right at home too, before three months. Your fences are all down, your house and barn with their surroundings look like thunder, your cows are all scrubs, your chickens are half starved and worse than half bred; you don't have butter on your table three months in the year, and that often unfit to eat; your pipe is a holy terror to decent people, yet you curse Oregon. Curse yourself for a week, and thus be in sympathy with the respectable people around you, then reform and go to work. Southern Oregon is the best country God ever made. If we will do something and keep at it, we can put it in the foremost rank.
"Spikenard Sparks," Southern Oregon Mail, September 30, 1892, page 2


    Every resident of Medford ought to feel proud of his neighbor and his neighbor ought to feel proud of himself, and he doubtless does, and every good housewife or mother ought to feel proud of her husband and son; and all because why--because he walked up to the polls Monday and cast a vote in favor of turning the wheel of time from the deep-worn rut of inactivity peculiar to other localities in the valley, and cast a good, honest vote "For Bonds."
"Everybody Happy," Medford Mail, April 28, 1893, page 2


    Quite a number of couples from Jacksonville will attend the dancing party at Medford on Thursday evening. We are pleased to see this evidence of sociability between the two towns.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 22, 1898, page 3
Base Ball in Medford
    There was a ball game in Medford last Sunday. We make this announcement in the first two lines because of the fact that there are probably about two people in the city who did not know of the game until they read the lines above referred to--and we want them to join the majority as quickly as possible. It was the hottest contested game ever played on the Medford grounds. There wasn't any money up on the game, but there was probably $500 or $600 bet on the side--won by Medford people--and contributed by Grants Pass sports.
    There were about 175 people who came up from Grants Pass to see the game--but be it said to the credit of a few of them they did not see it. It was too tough a layout, and instead of going to the grounds after leaving the train they put in the afternoon around town.
    Before that crowd came up here our townspeople thought we had a few average tough young men, but since Sunday they have branded every one of our boys as gentlemen--as compared with others. No sooner had the train upon which the Grants Pass crowd arrived come to a standstill than did the noise commence--by a chorus of loud, coarse and very profane yells. This was repeated several times--much to the disgust of all our people who heard it--also to some who came on the train--who felt ashamed of being caught in that low-lived charnel house of profanity and bad whisky. Nor did the ribaldry cease with the incoming of the crowd. It went to the ball grounds, and there insulted men, women and children. The hoodlums drank whisky from bottles while standing in front of the grandstand, swore almost incessantly, and the vulgar epithets they applied to Medford people were disgusting in the extreme--and the wonder is that the offenders were not arrested.
    After this game was over the streets of our town were made as unpleasant by this rowdyism as had been the ball grounds during the afternoon.
    Such hoodlumism as was displayed Sunday would have been most disgraceful upon a week day, but when it was given vent upon a day set apart for worship and rest, its grating upon the more delicate senses of even our most hardened citizens was noticeable. It was the toughest day in the history of our town--and it will not be repeated; the better class of citizens will not tolerate it; they are up in arms and do not propose to have our town again insulted. The home ball boys did not expect it, and they regretted its occurrence as much as anyone. As we said in the outset, they are gentlemen, and know the usages and customs of good society--and are respecters of ladies--and they were sorely aggrieved because it happened that way--and because that it was on Sunday.
    There is one way in which the Medford boys can further endear themselves to Medford people--don't play ball again on Sunday. It is not a day calculated for sport, and it is not pleasant to have a crowd in town on that day filling the air with blasphemy and indulging in unlawful behavior.
    The Mail knows, from having met several of them, that there are some very fine people in Grants Pass; in fact, there are a great many of them--and we are pleased to know that none of these were among the boisterous ones here Sunday.
    But to return to the game. We said it was hotly contested. Those who saw it will not doubt the truthfulness of this assertion. From commencement to finish there was no time when there was more than one tally in favor of either team, and at the commencement of the last half of the ninth inning the game stood eight to eight, but Medford made a score and the game was finished with Medford the winner.
    The Grants Pass pitcher was from San Jose, and their catcher from Cottage Grove. The Medford pitcher was G. H. Fleming, of the Torpedo team, Portland, and the catcher was H. B. Meyers, of this city.
    Since last Sunday the Grants Pass ball team has been keeping the telephone wires hot between Medford and that place in an endeavor to get another game. Our boys at first declined to have anything further to do with them, but it is now possible that a game may be made for a near date, the game to be played at Ashland.
Medford Mail, August 17, 1900, page 3


    Most of our people are disgusted with the Mail's silly account of the late baseball game, in which the Grants Pass nine and those who accompanied them to this city were abused and maligned in an unwarranted manner. Bliton so often has written himself an ass and displayed his small, jealous nature so frequently, that we have become accustomed to it. Our neighbors should not consider him seriously, for it is not worth their while.
 "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 23, 1900, page 3


    There is room in southern Oregon for Grants Pass, Ashland, Medford and Gold Hill all to grow, advance and improve. Each town has advantages and resources which the others have not and each has its own district to contribute to its support. Whatever the future may bring forth, there is at present no cause for jealousy or strife between the towns and any attempt by one to advance its cause by injuring the interests of another is contemptible and should be violently snubbed. Let each advance its interests fairly but remember there is room for all to grow.
Rogue River Courier, Grants Pass, August 1, 1902, page 2

Coming This Way
    The town of Medford seems to be growing northward and may, perhaps, soon be rated as a growing suburb of Central Point. The Tribune, in a recent issue, says: "H. Snook, the contractor, has commenced the construction of the new school house on the lot purchased by the school board from B. F. Adkins. Some criticism has been indulged in about the acquiring of this lot, not at the price, $700, but some of our citizens think that the new school building will be too near the new Central Point institution of a similar character."
Central Point Herald, August 16, 1906, page 1


    The "just as good" controversy has taken on another phase, no less interesting than that which has occupied the attention of Oregon fruit growers and fruit eaters for some time past. Recently a Hood River paper published a "cold-storage" story to the effect that an apple grower m that part of the state found apples on the ground in his orchard in March that had been preserved by the covering of snow which Nature had spread over them. That's nothing, thinks the Umpqua News, which says that a resident of that section has picked sound and deliciously crisp apples oft his trees in March. "We might have known it because Umpqua Valley beats the world," concludes the News. But the Medford Tribune comes back with one better by saying that in Rogue River Valley the apples keep so long that they are compelled to brand them in order to determine the year in which they were grown. It will be Hood River's turn to tell another story after the Willamette Valley has been heard from.
Sunday Oregonian, Portland, March 31, 1907, page 6
GOT HIS WIRES CROSSED.
    The Medford Tribune, which is published four miles south of Central Point, "wised up" last Thursday by reading the real news as published in the Herald of that date, and as a result was immediately able to announce to an expectant public that "Central Point is affected with railroadphobia." Railroadphobia is a bigger word than busy Central Point people can take time to pronounce or define, so we will assume the Tribune means that we are suffering from an acute attack of the same disease that, in a chronic form, has so long and so persistently been gnawing at the vitals of our neighboring village. Continuing, the Tribune facetiously remarks:
    "A telephone message from editor Pattison of the Herald states that the purpose of the survey is the location of a new hell, and he should know."
    Now there is where the Tribune man got his wires crossed. The telephone story is a mistake, as well as a fake, for be it known now and forever that Central Point has no desire to run any counterattraction in a line which has so long been monopolized by Medford. Our good neighbors can take all the hell they ever raised up there and welcome. Central Point will take the railroad and a dozen or so factories to add to its present second edition of Paradise and call it square.
Central Point Herald, May 9, 1907, page 2
Medford Wins a Game.
    Medford won a [baseball] game last Sunday from Ashland, and by dint of having three of Central Point's players to help them. Nash, Sanderson and Ross went up and helped our near neighbors to stand off the "Chawtawquans," and the stunt was accomplished without much trouble. The three Pointers each packed in a good tally or two, and it is whispered around that Sanderson played a mean trick on Ashland's pitcher when he stole home from third while the curve artist was "winding up" and actually beat the ball to home plate.
Central Point Herald, June 18, 1908, page 4
Medford Mossback Saddened by Progress of C.P.
    A Medford mossback, who evidently had not learned that there is a railroad connecting the two towns, walked over to Central Point the other day and looked around for some of his kind, but failed to find them. This made him feel sort of grouchy, and the fact that he reports having rubbed the skin off his heel on the homeward trek is pretty good evidence that he felt justified in exercising the prerogative of every true mossback by registering a vigorous kick. In a column article in the Mail Tribune he thus tells of his harrrowing experiences:
    "I reached the city limits about 10:00 a.m. and found the whole Central Point district apparently dotted with small, clean family residences and outbuildings and I says to myself, 'if this town was only about two miles nearer to Medford.' . . . (Oh, you kiddo) . . . 'No longer can there be seen a vestige of the old landmarks of moss-covered roofs, shacks and rail fences, and but few of the original business men left. . . . This great change made me feel sad. I saw no city officers of any description, no one smoking, no one with flushed face and red nose, . . . no one screaming hot hominy and sauerkraut and cheap beef--as is to be seen daily in metropolitan Medford, . . . and also astonished to not see any ladies on the streets. . . . So far I had not met a friend or stranger to give me a welcome smile or a warm handshake."
    If the Medford mossback is pained by seeing evidence of growth at Central Point he should wear blinders when he comes this way. If he is chagrined because of the disappearance of mossy roofs, shacks and rail fences he should go to the Willamette Valley. If he yearns for the sight of pretty women and failed to see them in Central Point he should rub the dust from his eyes before he comes out again, but if he is really looking for some of his old-time mossback friends he should wear a booster button and a pair of sprinters' shoes next time he comes down. The button will bring out the mossbacks--if there are any left--and the visitor will soon learn why he needs the shoes.
Central Point Herald, February 3, 1910, page 1


    The promoters of progressive moves in Ashland have developed a new way of carrying things. Ssshh! Keep it dark! But hereafter when Medford's foremost citizens conceive of anything to be done which will be to the benefit of the entire valley, Ashland included, and when the cooperation of Ashland as well as that of other towns is sought, let them proceed with utmost appearance of sincerity publicly to knock the proposition, first passing on the wink to all other towns concerned. We've been given the inside tip that this procedure will unfailingly secure results, and without loss of time.
    Medford boosted the interurban [trolley] franchise, and on the first tally the franchise lost out in Ashland; this last time, Medford remained silent, released Ashland from all sense of coercion, turned an apparently indifferent ear and eye that way, and lo, the franchise granted! The fact is, a prominent citizen of our sister town arrived here and quietly dropped the hint: "Mum is the word! It will go!"
    It went--There's nothing like being deep like that!
"Brevities," The Saturday Review, Medford, July 30, 1910, page 1
SALEM ANGRY AT MEDFORD BOOSTER
Colonists "Misinformed" on the Conditions by Colonist Agent Ed Andrews,
Is Claim Made in Capital City.
    SALEM, Or., April 11.--A communication was read to the members of the Salem board of trade last night from Earle Race, Salem representative, who is to meet the colonists who come to Portland, in which Ed Andrews, a representative of the Medford board of trade, is accused of misrepresenting the Willamette Valley by informing eastern visitors that land in the Rogue River Valley is much more productive than that in the Willamette Valley, and that Willamette Valley farms were never so valuable as those located in southern Oregon. Secretary Hofer of the local board of trade has addressed a letter to the Medford board informing that body of its representative's action, and calling the Medford boosters' attention to the fact that an agreement had been made at the Oregon Development League to the effect there was to be no misrepresentation between locations in this state.
Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, April 14, 1911, page 1
COMMUNICATIONS.
Replies to Salem.
    To the Editor: I regret to note in Friday evening's Mail Tribune that I stand in disfavor with one of Salem's boosters. I met the gentleman in question while I was in Portland recently as the representative of the Rogue River Valley, and tried to extend to him such brotherly love as one booster should have for another. And I regret to learn that I have sailed into the icy north of Salem's affections. I realize that Medford should maintain the closest friendly relations with that portion of the Willamette Valley noted for whiskers and rolled barley. They have been of so much assistance to us when we wanted a road to Crater Lake that we should not now make them feel the sting of ingratitude. They advertise in their booklet "The district from which the famous Comice pear is shipped, that brings $7.50 on the New York market." We should be careful in offending a famous pear district like Salem, and I very much regret ever having dropped an idle word about the pear culture in our valley. We should stand uncovered before our superiors, and speak only when Salem nods consent.
    The writer does not remember of ever having said one word in disparagement of any legitimate claims made by Salem's booster, or by representatives of any other part of the Willamette Valley. I may have in an unguarded moment mentioned the excellent pears we raise in the Rogue River Valley, for which I am willing to apologize, if Salem really insists upon it.
ED. ANDREWS.       
Medford Mail Tribune, April 16, 1911, page 4
GRANTS PASS WOULDN'T FOLLOW MEDFORD'S LEAD
    Because Medford had purchased a Pope-Hartford fire engine, the Grants Pass city council refused to consider this make of machine at their council meeting Thursday evening and purchased an American-La France. At least this was the reason given by several councilmen in open session to manager Keyes of the Valley Auto Co., representing the Pope-Hartford company.
    A committee had been appointed to inspect the five different makes of autos offered, but the committee stopped its labor after two makes had been examined.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 18, 1911, page 4


The Medford Way.
(Jacksonville Post.)
    Early Monday morning Mayor Shaw received a communication from the Commercial Club of Eugene stating that a delegation of business men would arrive in their own car at this place Tuesday morning at 11:30 and would remain in the city until 2:30 p.m.
    The letter further stated that the object of the visit was to get acquainted with the business men and representative men of this city and asked as a special favor that our mayor would see that the party was properly introduced, etc.
    The mayor in all good faith called upon most of the business men in the city, arranging that they go in a body to the depot and meet the train upon which the party was expected to arrive, but lo and behold! Instead of the special car of the excursionists coming according to schedule, some of the so-called boosters of Medford, afraid that if the party was allowed to come here as planned they might get some ideas and impressions of the valley and country not in consonance with those which the Commercial Club of Medford is noted for promulgating, induced the managers of the party to leave their car at Medford, and a few of the excursionists were loaded into autos and in company with some of the metropolitan boosters were driven to this city, where an informal reception, presided over by a Medford man, was tendered the visitors.
    After remaining here 25 minutes the party returned to Medford, where the visitors would be allowed to see things as Medford sees them.
    It is stated that during the stay in this place the visitors were vigilantly guarded by the Medford bunch and not allowed to converse much or come in contact with the "brush" men of this city.
Ashland Tidings, February 22, 1912, page 2
To Scoop the Business.
    Poor old Grants Pass. Just listen to the wail of woe from the Observer, all because V. C. Gorst is to establish an auto line into that city. When the citizens of that country town wake up, and do things instead of looking for something to growl at, outsiders that have business heads will not have occasion to pick up business snaps that they now fail to grasp.
Excerpt, Weekly Independent, Jacksonville, March 28, 1912, page 4
MEDFORD'S NEWSPAPER POLICY.
    Friendship between the cities of the Rogue River Valley should be fostered and encouraged. What is good for the valley is good for every town in the valley. If Medford prospers and develops it will add taxable value to Jackson County, thus affording more money without additional burden for the building of good roads and general public improvements throughout the county. The same is true if all the other towns of the valley materially develop. Therefore the interest of the several towns is identical, and no local jealousies should exist. A certain rivalry is healthful, just as brisk competition in the trades whets the wits of competition and results in greater activity. But there is a vast difference between wholesome rivalry and downright splenic jealousy. The first stimulates, the last destroys.
    The writer has not been in Jackson County long, but he has been here long enough to learn that unwarranted jealousy exists between the towns here, and that this feeling of bitterness is extremely harmful to the proper development of the valley. There are many things which contribute to this unwise bitterness, but the chief may be found in the attitude of the Medford press toward other towns and cities in Jackson County.
    A few illustrations will suffice.
    It has been a fixed policy of the Medford press, at least since the writer has had the opportunity to observe it, to ignore and overshadow every section outside of Medford. For example: A ranch is sold at Central Point or at Eagle Point, the Medford papers persistently report the sale as "near Medford." When occasion demands the mention of the mineral waters of the valley, the report locates them "near Medford," and so it goes throughout the list. If a query about Ashland's Chautauqua assembly should fall into the hands of a Medford reporter he would at once send out the information that the Chautauqua Park was "near Medford."
    That is a narrow policy, from a newspaper standpoint, and is selfish, unwarranted, and tends to augment bitterness and resentment.
    Lately the city of Medford has had up a proposition to build a concrete bridge across Bear Creek within the limits of the city. The writer knows nothing of the merits of the project. Whether it is legal or illegal, feasible or impracticable, we do not know, nor do we care. A citizen of Barron precinct objected to the methods and threatened to enjoin the county court from appropriating money for the project. At once the Medford Tribune flew into print with a libelous, unjust and untruthful statement that "Ashland opposed the Medford bridge." There is absolutely no truth in the statement. Benton Bowers, who owns more property below Medford, ten to one, than he owns at or near Ashland, on his own responsibility, declared that if the county court attempted to proceed with the matter he would enjoin its action. Ashland had nothing to do with it, and the Mail Tribune well knew it, but following out its policy to damn everything outside of Medford, it flew into print, with big type, charging that Ashland was antagonistic to Medford's proposed development.
    Pursuing the policy of such unwarranted newspaper attacks on the other cities of the valley, how can Medford expect but that a feeling will grow up against it? Bitterness does exist and none are more responsible for it than those who should be most interested in the development of Medford.
    It is well understood that the Medford Mail Tribune's last attack on Ashland was purely political. It was done in the hope of leading the people of Medford to believe that Ashland was antagonistic to every material interest of that town to the end that it should have an influence on the coming election for county officers.
    If the Medford newspapers change their policy of belittling every enterprise outside of Medford, and attempting to bury every other section of the county in the interest of Medford, this feeling of bitterness will soon be changed to one of friendship, and the valley will be blessed and prosper by reason of it.
Ashland Tidings, May 13, 1912, page 2
THE MEDFORD BRIDGE.
    The Medford papers persistently insist that the opposition of Mr. Bowers and associates to the Medford bridge project is a scheme of Ashland against Medford. That claim is pure buncombe [i.e., bunk], and Medford political tricksters and press are well aware of it. It is being used in an attempt to cement the Medford vote against George Dunn because he lives in this end of the county. It is used by the Medford gang to defeat Dunn because it knows it cannot exist as a gang without "refreshments," and that when Mr. Dunn enters the county judge's office there will be no more "refreshments." There will need to be a dollar in value given for each dollar extracted from the Jackson County treasury under Dunn. That is exactly what the gang does not want. It has reveled in green and juicy pastures during the past four years, and it knows that the election of Dunn means the drying up of its succulent portion. Doesn't it beat the band how hard these grafters fight when they feel their meat platter slipping?
    But how about engendering these bitter sectional animosities in order to accomplish it?
    Every move the Medford press makes along these lines but widens the breach. It is the fault of the Medford press, not the citizens of Jackson County, if such high animosity is engendered as will result in the destruction of the prosperity and development of that city.
    That gang cares not for the future of Medford. The fight is a personal one. It is the grafter gang, backed by the Medford press, that is fighting. The individuals composing that gang are after the cash, no matter who is destroyed in its pursuit. Be not deceived. It is not the new bridge this gang fights for. It simply uses that as a means to an entirely different end. If the bridge can be used as the instrument through which the gang can again land at the crib, by fooling the people of Medford to the extent of arraying them solidly against Mr. Dunn at the fall election, the purpose has been accomplished whether the bridge is ever built or not.
Editorial, Ashland Tidings, June 13, 1912, page 2   For the "Medford gang"'s response, click here.


BOWERS ET AL. AT ASHLAND FORM GEO. DUNN CLUB
Sponsors of New-Born Club Denounce Medford As They Organize
To Drive Pirates, Grafters and Thieves from Vaults of County.
Taxpayers, Misled by Advertisement of Meeting,
Desert Gathering When Purpose is Learned.

MASS MEETING
    There will be a non-partisan meeting of citizens at the city hall in Ashland tomorrow (Friday) evening at 8 o'clock, at which time a taxpayers' league will be organized for Jackson County to work in the interest of efficient and economical county administration.
    All persons interested in this movement are asked to be present and participate in the organization.

    Amid a display of forensic fireworks bitterly denunciatory of Medford, heralded by the above announcement of a taxpayers' meeting, with Benton Bowers, E. D. Briggs and Bert Grier as sponsors, the George W. Dunn Club of Jackson County was born at Ashland Friday night. Thirty-two "non-partisan" citizens of Ashland responded to the call, and fourteen, by actual count, quit when the sponsors pled for the spondulix which was to guarantee the newly born a livelihood.
    The most startling announcement made at the meeting fell from the lips of Bert Grier, who was evidently suffering from an acute attack of borborygmus, to the effect that the sinful and outrageous course of Medford had been "discovered." The Medford piratical gang, having looted the vault at Jacksonville, even now proposed, like Samson of old, to carry away the gates of the city. In other words, if the honest and fearless citizens of Ashland failed to throw themselves into the breach, and at once, Medford proposed to make away with the vault, sell it for old junk and pocket the proceeds.
    The remainder of the evening was devoted to a general roast of all who dared to oppose the candidacy of George W. Dunn, and especially Medford.
    "No longer shall it be said," thundered Bert Grier, in the most approved tones of the campaign orator, "that grafters and thieves thrive in Jackson County. We shall seal the vaults of the courthouse with George W. Dunn on guard and keep the rascals at bay who have exploited and plundered the county during the past four years. We as honest and upright citizens must do our duty well."
Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, October 12, 1912, page 1


Anything To Beat Medford
    The Ashland Tidings in its issue of October 24 (not the issue sent to the voters of Medford) bolts the representative ticket of both parties and supports the prohibition nominees. This is of small significance in itself, but the reasons given show to what fanatical length this Ashland political clique will go to gratify its splenetic prejudice against Medford. Here is the editorial:
    "It is always wise to work and vote in the interest of your home town. After having given the matter careful consideration the Tidings believes it is of importance to Ashland to have A. W. Silsby of Ashland and G. A. Morse of Talent as representatives in the legislature from Jackson County. It appears that every other candidate for the legislature lives at Medford. There has been ample evidence that the gang at Medford insist that Ashland be discriminated against in every instance where it is possible that the Medford bunch can dictate official action. There will arise many issues in the legislature affecting the interests of this section and other sections of the county outside of Medford. Ashland is looking for a square deal. The way to get that is to look out for yourself. Mr. Silsby and Mr. Morse are capable men. While they are not the nominees of the Progressive Party, they are both progressives, and are as good and capable men as are now before the people as legislative candidates. One of the reasons the Tidings will advocate their election is because they are geographically located so that they will escape the domination of the Medford bunch."
Medford Mail Tribune, October 31, 1912, page 4


Finds Knockers Wrong As Usual
     O. H. Barnhill of Ashland spent Tuesday in Medford interviewing Prof. P. J. O'Gara for a character sketch he is writing for Sunset magazine.
     "I heard in Ashland that Medford was all in," said Mr. Barnhill, "and that half the stores were vacant and times very dull. I walked from end to end on Main Street and found only two vacant store rooms and generally found much better business here than I had been led to expect. I don't see anything the matter with Medford and wish all our other towns were in as good condition.
Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, May 27, 1913, page 2
RIVAL TOWNS RECONCILED
Medford and Ashland Bury Hatchet at Chautauqua.
    MEDFORD, Or., July 13.--(Special.)--A campaign of good will and reconciliation with Ashland was started today when, headed by the Medford band, 500 citizens celebrated Medford day at the Chautauqua in that city. Heretofore, Medford and Ashland have not been inclined to be enthusiastic over each other.
    At a recent meeting of the Medford Commercial Club it was voted to change this policy of antagonism and make Medford day at Ashland a real Medford day. Ashland welcomed the spirit of reconciliation, and a large crowd met the special train at the Ashland station. Before returning tonight Ashland gave Medford three cheers and a tiger, for the first time in the history of the Rogue River Valley.
Morning Oregonian, Portland, July 14, 1913, page 7
MEDFORD'S OPPORTUNITY
    It is to be hoped that a large Medford delegation will attend the meeting of the Southern Oregon Development League at Grants Pass, November 6.
    Extensive preparations have been made to entertain Jackson County visitors, and the community of interest which should unite all southern Oregon demands hearty cooperation upon the part of Medford.
    Rivalry between the cities is a thing of the past--outgrown with the village era. The hammer should be forever laid away, and all communities work together for the common good. Every community presents attractions of its own, and they are not enhanced by depreciating those of neighboring localities. A gain for one is a gain for all.
    With some justice, Grants Pass claims that Medford has withheld cooperation in the past, while Grants Pass has striven, by sending large delegations, to show its friendliness and willingness in cooperative efforts.
    Let Medford show Grants Pass a touch of the Medford spirit by sending a trainload of boosters to view the progress of her sister city. Where Ashland sends a car full, let Medford send a trainload.
    The opportunity is at hand. Let everyone take advantage of it and show that Medford does not do things by halves.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 1, 1913, page 4


    Roughneckism had another inning Saturday night, when bad eggs were thrown at the special car carrying the Ashland rooters by village cutups whose acts have been noticeable for some time past in petty vandalism. Nothing was hit but the side of the car. The local high school will send an apology to the Ashland school for the misdeed, and if the culprits are caught punishment will be inflicted.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, November 23, 1914, page 2

    The Medford Sun, in a recent issue (perhaps thinking to be sarcastic) refers to Jacksonville as maintaining poise, in these words: "That sleepy and sleeping village never ruffled a hair at the news that the lost channel had been found." The people of this city may be sleepy, but when we make up our minds to some course we stay with it. Notice the adoption of our new charter by an almost unanimous vote, and without any hot air merchants legging for it either. Compare Medford's vote on her proposed charter Tuesday after months of agitation and column and column of editorial matter, letters from prominent citizens (?), etc. in both papers. Yes, we have poise--something that Medford seems to lack.
Jacksonville Post, January 16, 1915, page 2


    Our esteemed contemp of the Medford Sun seems to be rather peeved that the price of Jacksonville lots has not fallen since the beginning of the European war and devotes about two-thirds of a column of its valuable space (?) to bewailing the fact that values are permanent in Jacksonville while Medford property has been going down the toboggan until it has reached the point where some owners are offering a quitclaim deed to Medford lots provided the grantee will assume the improvement assessments. No wonder our friend is fretful; better invest your money in Jacksonville real estate, where values are fixed on the basis of actual worth and not on hot air.
"Local News," Jacksonville Post, September 11, 1915, page 3


    Medford papers take another fling at Jacksonville this week by a pretended summary of an article by David W. Hazen, published in the Portland Telegram Monday. Mr. Hazen did not state that "it has more people in its cemetery than its corporate being, due to waiting for the Southern Pacific to come," nor did he mention the Southern Pacific in any way. The Jacksonville cemetery is the resting place of many hundreds of people, many more than the number stated in Mr. Hazen's article, people who once lived in Jacksonville, Ashland, Medford, Central Point and different parts of the valley, and because of this and the natural beauties of our cemetery far exceeding those of Medford's burying ground, some smart aleck thinks to air his grouch and show the smallness of his soul by another sneer at Jacksonville's people, the living and the dead.
"Local News," Jacksonville Post, August 19, 1916, page 3


    Captain Kaspar Kubli, who was born up on the Applegate near the mining village, spent his boyhood days dodging the Jacksonville boys who were "spoilin' fer a scrap."
"When Jacksonville Was Up and Coming," Jacksonville Post, June 16, 1917, page 2


At Last the Park, Hotel Are Again Moved to Ashland
    Ashland is a bitter rival of the town of Medford, 12 miles distant, and so, when in this column there appeared an error the other day to the effect that the Lithia Springs Hotel was being erected in the latter city, the townspeople of Ashland were, to use the words of Dom Provost, hardware dealer of the city, yesterday, "in a commotion." The hotel referred to is not being built in Medford, but in Ashland, and there is doubt in Mr. Provost's mind whether Medford even has a hotel as large and commodious as the one being built in this city. "Ashland is also improving the automobile camp, a box factory has just been completed and a business block is being constructed, as well as the famous hotel," he said. Mr. Provost is staying at the Imperial.--Oregonian.
Ashland Daily Tidings, January 23, 1925, page 1
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
Hark, the sudden sound is heard
    Ringing clear from earth to sky?
Let us move the county court house
    To a town that's nearer by.

Never mind, if crops are failures,
    Ye, who till the valley's soil;
Be good sports and move the court house
    It will save us gas and oil.

Never mind, though you are burdened
    With taxes more than you can pay
Boost them up a little higher
    What's the difference, anyway?

Medford wants the county court house,
    Wants to be the "County Seat";
Dig down deeper in your pockets
    Make her happiness complete.

Never mind what it may cost you
    For the bills of course you'll meet;
Think how proud we'll be in Medford
    Just to be in the county seat.
Jacksonville Post, November 5, 1926, page 1


BATTLING STUDENTS SAY IT WITH EGGS
OMELET RIOTS STAGED IN MEDFORD AND ASHLAND.
School and County Authorities Seek to Curb Rowdyism
As Athletic Season Ends.
    MEDFORD, Or., Feb. 21.--(Special.)--Because of the bitter rivalry which is all "hangover" from football and basketball games of past years, with the hoodlumism this year declared the worst in history, the egg riots between school students that have marked athletic contests between the Ashland and Medford high schools for several years will be curbed before the final games of the basketball championship series, through the action of the two school boards and the county authorities.
    Saturday night in Ashland after the basketball game rowdyism broke loose and an egg fight occurred in front of the Methodist Church, that edifice being splattered. Another group of the two towns clashed near the Southern Pacific overhead crossing on the Pacific Highway, and a general free-for-all fight was narrowly averted. Passing automobiles were bombarded with eggs.
    The trouble started last Friday night in this city during the final minutes of the basketball game. A grammar school youth's nose was broken and other students were beaten. Medford students went to Ashland Saturday night loaded with eggs, and their foes were ready for them. After the game the rival groups started looking for trouble and both found it.
Oregonian, February 22, 1928, page 1
NEAR RIOT ENDS GAME AT TALENT
    A near riot, half a dozen fistic encounters, and a no-decision game, were a few of the highlights of the Talent-St. Mary's basketball melee last night.
    The official score read 16 to 16 in the first overtime period, when Val Singler, frosh coach, withdrew his team from the floor and declared the contest forfeited.
Medford Daily News, December 20, 1930, page 6
Parker Says Medford Up to Old Trick
    Hey there, Medford, you big palooka, how come you trying to grab my sawmill here in Central Point? Since when does the city limits of your TOWN join the city limits of OUR CITY? Listen you, I live in Central Point. And my south property line is about 60 feet more or less from this new sawmill's property line, and I am a heck of a ways from Medford. Someday Medford may be part of Central Point, but Central Point will never be part of Medford.
    Now Medford, I like you a heck of a lot, honest I do, but when you try to grab for your glory every good thing that comes to the Rogue River Valley it kinder gets into my English, Irish, French, Pennsylvania Dutch and Algerian blood, and I don't mind telling you so. You've got everything in Medford from soup to nuts, so give someone else a chance to have something for a change. What you say? Come on, Medford, and let us have just a teensy-weensy sawmill. Be a good sport about it. If you don't, why, we will just take the mill anyway. So What.--Archie Parker.
Central Point American, March 25, 1937, page 1
Twenty Years from Now
APRIL 4, 1967
    The people of Central Point with sorrow today observed the tenth anniversary of the terrible disaster that happened to our neighboring city to the south, just ten years ago today. The horror of that disaster. The devastating power of that fragment of an atomic bomb. The chaos in this valley that resulted. All are indelibly engraved in the minds of everyone who lived in Central Point at the time.
    Plans are under way to construct a huge new civic stadium, north of Central Point. This stadium will be owned by the city, but will be leased to the local baseball club. Plans call for a seating capacity of 50,000. The local team finished second in the coast league last year, and the crowds could not be contained in the old ball grounds west of town.
    The state hospital at Camp White is no longer adequate and will have to be enlarged inside of the next year. This was the report of the state senate committee that investigated the hospital last week.
    A new car is reported to be on the market this year that will rise straight up in the air. If this car does what the manufacturer claims, all of the modern highways in the world will become obsolete in a few years. As yet none of these cars have been seen in Central Point.
Central Point American, April 3, 1947, page 2
BOYS' GANG BEATS YOUTH
    Without any apparent reason, a juvenile gang, believed to be composed of Medford youths, beat up a Central Point boy last Saturday night as he sought to escape from his car and get in his home.
    Chief of Police Wallace Bowen said he knew who two of the gang of six boys were and hoped to have the rest of the identities shortly. He said the mother of the beaten youth had said she would sign a complaint, charging assault and battery and disturbing the peace
.    This is what happened, the youths told Bowen. The Central Point boy and two Medford companions were at Cubby's Drive-In when the six youths drove up. They made some slurring remarks about the age of the car being driven by the three youths and then pursued them about Medford.
    When the Central Point boy drove to his home, the six drove in the family driveway behind him, grabbed him when he got out of the car and beat him badly. The two Medford youths, who had accompanied him, locked the car doors and escaped injury.
Rogue River Times, April 19, 1957, page 1
Grants Pass-Medford City Officials 'Bet' on Game
    Grants Pass Mayor Charles B. Gill Jr. yesterday flung down the gauntlet, and Medford Mayor John W. Snider quickly snatched it up.
    Grown incautious over dreams of a Grants Pass football victory over Medford tonight, Gill and his chief of police and city manager offered to bet a dinner with their Medford counterparts on the outcome of the game.
    In a telegram to Snider yesterday afternoon, Gill predicted that the Caveman team "will easily win" tonight's encounter in Grants Pass.
    He proposed that the losers of the bet should buy a dinner for the winners at a restaurant of the winners' choosing anywhere in the Rogue River Valley.
    Gill, in his rashness, could apparently not resist a final barb in his wire. He concluded:
    "We realize that this will be a considerable burden, expense and embarrassment to your city, so therefore if you do not wish to accept this challenge we will not inform anyone other than the news media in both cities."
    With justifiable confidence, Snider fired off an airy reply which crushed the Grants Pass city officials as surely as the Black Tornado will smash their opponents on the gridiron tonight.
    Snider's wire said:
    "Our varsity will be elsewhere playing a college team, but we will be in Grants Pass tomorrow night to watch our junior high eleven beat the Cavemen. We accept your bet. Please rush road maps showing exact location of your city."
Medford Mail Tribune, November 9, 1962, page 1


Last revised April 9, 2013