Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-02-23

farmers how to farm, but more es-
pecially how to vote so that an Ore
gon legislature always looks more like
a session of the State Bar Association
than it does of men to represent the
wealth producing interests of the
state, yet his words were well chosen
and his addresses were forceful and
convincing and held the close atten-
tion of his hearers. That dairying
as demonstrated by successful dairy
man interested the farmers was
evinced by the many questions asked
of Mr.. Shulmerich when he was on
the floor, and at each institute so
soon as the sessions were closed the
farmers would gather about him for
more detailed information ON the
subject.
DIR. Withcyombe and the other mem
bers Of his staff arrived in Grants
Pass last Friday morning on the 80
train from Talent, where they were
compelled to arise at a. m. in order
to catch the train. The previous day
they closed an institute at Talent,
that had an attendance of 800, with
an evening session so 1t was II p. IN.
before they could get to bed, so it can
be seen that a farmers institute tour
is not all pleasure jaunt to tire
speakers. The sessions at Eagle Point
and Central Point were quite as sue
cessful as was that at Talent. Fri
day forenoon was spent in Grants
Pass by the gentlemen in recuperating
for the strenuousness of the seven
days trip in Josephine county. And
that it was strenuous enough to suit
even President Roosevelt was the
unanimous opinion of the gentlemen
when they had completed their en-
gagements and boarded the cars at
Merlin for their return home. II
only rained once during the week,
bat this torrential downpour began
the morning that the party left
Grants Pass and continued with scarce
a letup until the following Thursday
when the Webfooters left the Italy of
America for the land of sunless skies
and rain. Every brook that was
crossed was raging torrent aud every
creek was wild, rushing flood.
The terrific rains, the unfordable
streams and the bad roads prevented
many from attending the institutes,
yet with all this handicap they were
all success. Every appointment
was kept and the speakers were on
time at each, but it took all the en-
durance of the fine team from Dicki-
son stable, the skill of the driver,
johnnie Lance and the courage of
DR.. Withcyombe and associates to
brave the dangers of the all but i'm
passable fords and the hardships Of
the trip.
Friday noon the institute staff ac-
conpanied by Charles Meserve, of the
Courier, drove to Provolt, where a
most hospitable welcome was given
them and they were entertained at
the homes of Il. N. Provolt, Rev, e.
Badger and G. A. Dunlap. The only
embarrassing feature to the guests
was that there was not enough Of
them to go around, for every home
in the neighborhood was open to
them, the three homes selected being
quite near the place of meeting. And
these generous people would have no
pay not even for the feed for the
team. Saturday morning in a rain
that would put Willamette Valley to
shame the farmers and their wives
from about Provolt and from the more
distant sections of Williams, Murphy,
Kubli, Davidson and Applegate, some
even coming from Humbug creek
three miles beyond Applegate, came
in such numbers that by 10 80 when
the morning session opened the church
building, in which the institute was
held, and which is owned by Rev. +.
Badger and its use generously donate d
by him, there was fine audien &c
gathered. All said that il the
weather had been favorable there
would have been gathered the largest
crowd ever seen in Applegate Valley.
The institute was ably presided over
by E. N. Provolt and it was opened
by al invocation by Rev. K. Badger,
after which he gave very appro-
pirate address Of welcome, to which
DIR. Withcyombe responded.
The various speakers OF the staff
occupied the time OF the forenoon
and afternoon sessions. At the even
ing session DR.. withycombs gave the
principal address, with illustrations
by stereopticon views given by Prof.
Knisely. Under the direction Of the
local committee some pleasing features
had ben prepared fer the evening
session. These consisted of musical
selections, recita ions by sch ool