Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-05-04
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF GRANTS PASS
Interesting Facts of Early DAYS as
Told by Former Editor
of the Courier


Grants Pass had some very beautiful
trees in it and the Courier made a
stand for their preservation. There
were the oaks, both black and white,
often full of large acorns and then
there was the laurel or madrone.
Some Of those trees yet remain and
ons of the most beautiful oaks in the
town is upon the property of Assessor
W. II. Fallin, which / trimmed and
saved when l had that piece of land
cleared Of brush and timber.
The Courier poet in those times was
Louise b. Wade; she was not SO faI
famed as joaquin Miller nor was she
as selfish as the poet Of the Sierras.
One of her poems had reference to the
past, present and future, being also
somewhat prophetic. reproduce q
few OF the verses. 1t was entitled,
Little Josephine. By Louise B.
Wade.
They've named this county Josephine,
'Tis a pleasant place as may be seen.
Though many hills and mountains'high,
Will quickly greet the travellers eye.
Here 'mongst the pleasant wales and
hills.
Are found cool springs and sparkling
rills;
And quartz leads in the hills abound,
And here are mines where gold is
found.
The red man fishe3 and hunted here.
And killed full oft the frightened
deer;
Here did he build his hut Of bark
And left his squaw to do the work.
To cook his soup early and late,
And watch him. hungry, while he ate,
And that for which he had no use,
She ate. or gave to their papoose.
But they are gone, the white man
came,
And then his quiet, gentle dame;
The warriors whoop no more does
sound.
And peace and plenty here abound.
Though years ago in large pack trains,
The weary traveller crossed the plains,
Now their rapidly growing need.
Is we'll supplied by the iron steed.
And now of churches we can boast,
And other blessings quite host.
Throughout the county schools are
taught,
And eagerly is learning sought.
Its beauties aud improvements grand,
Its handsome streams by bridges
spanDed,
Its factories and quartz mills, too.
And other things both old aud new.
OF which I'd speak, had l the time,
And could | but command the rhyme.
'hoiNNNi III thib WOilu Wo btThN,
As time shall bear us on our way,
Our hearts will fondly turn ween.
To our own lovely Josephine.
An error crept into my last article
in reference to the writings Of ]. 9.
b, Boyd in the Courier while A. A.
Allworth was managing it. Those
articles criticized some of Grants
Pass most estimable ladies because
they appeared in several dramas the
proceeds OF which went to the public
good; they were written over the
1on de plume Pilgrim. but proved
% be a grim pit for their author.
Two replies we're published in defense
II those worthy women one Of which
vas signed Sentiments OF one of the
I'D girls, as 1t were. 4" An idea of the
lrift of these replies can be got from
me sentence as follows: 1--WE as a
ociety in Grants Pass. dwelt together
Imioaoly and peacefully until you
asst your lot among us.
Announcement was made in the ,
)ourier of Aug. o, 1886, of the or
of the first library with
he following officers: Mrs. @. M. ,
'tone, president; Mrs. ]. X. Pigney.
Ice e'president; Mrs. NJ. G. vanDyke, q
ecretary; Mrs. X. NJ Kinney, treas. q
rer. ,
The Courier of September "a. 1885, q
peaking OF the State Board of Immi- I
ration at Portland and the samples b
'hioh its editor had forwarded for q
xhibit from Josephine county. saws @
On Monday night we sent the second I
1t of samples to the State Board of O
immigration as follows: Sample of V
orn, IL feet high, large aud fine with 8
So ears to each stalk. aud sample OF b
meer cane single stalk ls feet, from 9
Iolman Peters; cane sample II feet q
Ugh and very choice sample of n
earl Millett, feet high with heads
inches, long from Lewis HAYES OF =,
pplegate and last bat not least a "
ater melon weighing As pounds from NJ