Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1903-04-02


presented to me in the morning was
a pleasant surprise, There, nestled
among the hills with s snow capped
mountains in the distance, at an alti-
tude of thousand feet, on the north
bank Of the Rogue river, the sun of
what seemed like our mildest May
morning in Dakota, was casting its
golden beams over the already green
lawns of Grants Pass-an incorporated
city of about 5000, and the county
seat Of Josephine county. Good, sub
stantial brick blocks were everywhere
visible, and find all lines of profess
ional and commercial life represented,
while an exceptionally choice line of
up-to-dato goods is displayed by the
merchants. The business men of the
city are progressive, energetic, pub
lic-spirited and united in all that
tends to the development of the city;
an active Board of Trade is ever ON
the alert for the interests of Grants
Pass. The moral tone of the city, |
should say is high, if the eight COM
modious and beautiful churches are
any criterion. And it is noticeable
that what appear to be the represen-
tatiye men and women of the place
are found actively interested in church
work The public schools accommo-
date 800 pupils and an addition will
soon be under way of construction.
There are kindergarten and primary
departments and grammar and high
school, the latter covering course of
four years. Under the supervision
of a principal, 10 teachers are em-
ployed.
Grants Pass is the shipping point
for nearly the entire business of the
county and when it is remembered
that Josephine county boasts the finest
timber richest mines and some of the
best agricultural lands in Southern
Oregon, a realization of the extent of
this business will be better realized.
This business is increasing yearly as
the county continues to develop its
rich resources. Oregonians do not
build on the success or failure of one
cropi are not at the mercy of the
ielemonts With timber, mining grain
iand fruit raising to draw from, the
support Of the county is always as
sured. Southern Oregon is not ex-
pericncinga a boom that will eventually
fall fat; miles Of heavy timber are
here to speak for themselves-acres of
which, the choicest Of white pine and
sugar pine, are still unsurveyed.
Rich mines, that for the past 10 years
and more have yielded paying returns
TO the most superficial mining, now,
through the agency of modern machin.
cry and appliances. aud capital, are
| just beginning to be appreciated.
For instance six years ago, the gold
output Of Oregon amounted to 81, $50, =
\ 20i nearly one-half Of which was
mined in Southern Oregon, the largest
for 20 years. Today, good authority
estimates the output as nearly FIVE
times that much while rich new
sriEcs are coustantly reported, and
lodges known TO be valuable are still
! VvF,ugI,T E.wV.r tttfr.g 90 .-tr,
ordinary richness have been known to
exist in the southern part Of Josephine
county, which lack Of capital has so
far prevented being successfully
worked, but company with
requisite means are now preparing to
open them
As in North Dakota nothing but
wheat was raised in pioneer days, be-
cause the soil lay waiting the sower
aud that commodity commanded the
highest price, so in pioneer days did
Oregonians turn TO mining. and Of the
most superficial kind, as the source
easiest TO realize riches. But with
the advent of the railroad, the timber
interests were developed and people
entered looking for permanent homes
that could be quickly made without
much capital expended The most in
different methods Of farming rewarded
the tiller with a comfortable subsist-
ence and little more was attempted In
the majority Of cases AS the rich
resources and conditions became
known and the remarkable adaptable
ity Of Southern Oregon to all kinds OF
fruit raising, as well as grains, en-
ergctic eastern agriculurists are avail.
ing themselves Of these opportunities
and ncw era in agriculture is open.
ing to this portion Of Oregon. Apples,
plums, prunes, pears, peaches and an
endless yaricy Of grapes are success
fully raised apples and grapes es-
pecially prolific aud choice, besides
all the small fruits The fact that
Josephine county is so trayersod by a
net work Of streams tributary to the
Rogue river Applegate, and Illinois
river. invites the confidence Of the
'agriculturist still further because OF
the assurance Of ready and easy irriga'
tion. As the mines are becoming
| thoroughly and more extensively de
velopcd, and new ones opened, az
agriculture and fruit raising is bccom
| ing more extended and varied and cue
cessful. as the vast tracts Of timber ia