Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1911-04-07
LOOKS FOR GREAT
DEVELOPMENT HERE

Wilford Allen, former editor of the
Herald, at Pullman, Wash, is in the
city and will become a citizen OF
Grants Pass. Mr.. Allen was here
few days during the winter while in
vestigating the advantages offered by
the various localities of Southern Ore
gon and Northern California, and that
he has returned to Grants Pass and
purchased property and will remove
here with his family to make his
home evidences the fact that this part
of the Rogue can more than hold its
own with other localities that are
being exploited, and that to the care
full Investigator 1t presents claims
that are deciding in its favor, and
from this point of view 1t Is interest
ing to know the reasons that deter
mined the unprejudiced observations
in choosing the location for new
home.
Climate" said Mr.. Allen, "was
the first consideration when start
ed out as homeseeker, and climatic
conditions were the first investigated
in every instance. Here at Grants
Pass found those conditions that
should make the climate during the
entire twelve months as nearly ideal
as one can hope for. Far enough
south to escape the rigors Of the
northern winter, yet far enough north
that the scorching rays Of southern
sun are tempered by the breath from
snow-clad peaks on the east and
ocean breezes to the west, 1t presents
one OF the most equable Of climates
with no extremes Of temperature.
Out Of the belt Of excessive rainfall,
yet with sufficient moisture to ma
ture most crops, and with the flow of
the Rogue and It's tributaries avail
able to water the acres that may re-
quire 1t, the opportunity for devel-
opment here seemed great. The re-
sources Of your country are not en-
tirely comprehended or appreciated
by the people as yet, and 1t Is from
the development of those resources
that the greatness Of Grants Pass
must come. The first step in this
development must be the attracting
of people to the community and the
reclaiming of the great tracts Of fer
tile soil now covered with brush or
with forest. AS a step in this direc-
tion the idea originated by w. B.
Sherman should be rich in results
Mr.. Allen states that while this is
his third trip to the valley, his first
two trips not fully persuading him to
locate here on account Of the fact that
they were not doing development
enough. Last Sunday he saw state
ment in the Oregonian Of this new
development plan which Mr.. Sherman
is inaugurating and he and his father
decided at once to come to Grants
Pass to locate. 1t was not necessary
for him or his father to avail them
selves Of the six years time, but they
felt that the lands they were buying
here now for cash would increase very
rapidly with the development Of the
county; therefore they have pur-
chased two tracts OF suburban acre
age and are leaving today for theil
former home to assist the family In
packing up and shipping their house
hold goods to Grants Pass and II
about ten days time will return tc
make this place their home.
81 can see," said Mr.. Allen, how
the Sherman homestead plen mus
appeal to hundreds Of people who cal
find In II the opportunity for obtain
ing home in this delightful coun
try The sale of one 10-acre tract Il
a bona fide settler who will use hi
energy and his funds in the upbuild
ing Of the country means immeas
urably more to the community thai
the sale Of thousand acres that g
into the hands OF transient specula
tors. 1t is the bringing OF people t
a locality that makes stable real es
tate values and bring trade and pros
perlty TO merchant and professions
man; and every move that looks to
ward the passing Of your undevelope
lands in to the hands of home build
ers should be encouraged. 1t wa
this feature Of activity among you
real estate holders that was the dt
termining factor In my deciding
locate among you, for the communit
that makes home building and HON
owning easy is the community th'
will advance and prosper. Resource
are OF no advantage until they al
developed and no matter how ferti
.hn so,1 or rich the mine or prOdu