Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-02-23

Lincoln county was admitted to
the Union in 1898, and after under
going the usual troubles of new
counties, in April, 1909, the county
was entirely out of debt. The com
ing census will show a population Of
about 10000 people. Owing to the
large amount of land taken by
homesteaders and under the timber
and stone act, several thousand of the
voting population are non-residents.
A very roomy and comfortable
courthouse is planted on the hill,
overlooking the city of Toledo and
commanding a beautiful view of the
Yaquina river as it swings around a
perfect horseshoe with picturesque
mountains coming down to the wa
ter's edge.
The men who are conducting the
affairs of the county are always Of
interest to homeseekers and intend
ing investors. Lincoln county is ia
vored with a strong, intelligent and
efficient corps of country officers,
and the affairs of the county are
cared for about as well as any in the
state. The total tax levy of the
county is about - mills on a low
valuation. The assessment made for
collecting the taxes this year was up
on valuation of $6,935,000. This
was deemed too high in proportion
to the rest OF the state and was re-
duced 40 per cent by the county
board of equalization. Twenty-Five
per cent was restored by the state
board of equalization, so that the
present basis of valuation is about
SIS, 100000. When Sheriff Ross first
entered upon his duties as tax col
lector, the total annual tax collected
was about $4,000. The tax roll for
1909 will produce about $4,000.
These figures fairly indicate the
growth and development of the
county In the last 10 years. The
Sheriff OF Lincoln county is James
II. Ross. He first served for two
years as deputy under George A.
Lands, the first sheriff of the coun-
ty, who was appointed by Governor
Sylvester Pennoyer Mr., Ross was
first elected in 1898 and has been re-
elected for six times, which is prob
ably the record for hiding this Of
flee in the state of Oregon
The Office of county clerk has
been filled by Ira Wade for the past
eight years. He was raised in Lin
coin county, and when first elected
to the Office, was almost a smooth
faced boy. So closely had he kept
at home on the farm that he was
p years old before he ever went
outside of the county.
The office of county assessor is oc-
cupied by w. E. Ball, who first
served as deputy sheriff for two
years, thus becoming very familiar
with the people of the county. and
was then elected to his present Of
fice two years ago. He served -
term OF eight years as Lincoln
county farmer,
The treasurer of Lincoln county
Is George b. McCluskey, who is now
serving on his third year He was
first appointed TO MI the vacancy
caused by the death OF County
Treasurer Hyde, Mr.. McCluskey is
a Lincoln county boy. having been
born and raised within its boundar-
hes.
The county superintendent OF
schools is X. p, Coin. OF Waldport.
He served for many years as one of
the county school teachers and has
given his whole life 20 the cause OF
education.
Charles Gardner is the county
Judge. He was for many years a
travelling man for John Deere q Co.,
and was appointed 10 the present
once by Governor Frank w Benson
70 an THO unexpired term OF Il. #.
Swope, resigned.
business County Court.
The two county commissioners
are John Fogarty, well-known liv-
eryman and lumber dealer OF New
port, and John Kentta, merchant
az siletz. The former is OF Irish
descent and the latter Is probably
the only Finiander ia the United
states holding an important once.
The county commissioners court Is
composed OF good business men who
nealiae the Importance OF building
Iome good Highways. A roek-erush-
r. has been bought aRd a hne quail