Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1915-09-24
BURRS HAVE A HISTORY
-AIRLIE CORRESPONDENT RE-
VEALS INFORMATION.
Millstones That Ground Polk County
Pioneers Grist Now Repose in
Historical Society's Care.

The Observer IS story of the efforts
Judge Teal is extending to secure, fol-
the decoration of the lawn in front OF
the Polk county court house, the first
set of mill stones used in this county
if not in the state, has been read
with interest by w. M. Shewey of
Airlie, whose recollection Of pioneer
events is so vivid as to make him an
authority. Some little doubt has ex-
listed regarding the origin, and the
date of the first use Of these old burrs
that now occupy place in the rooms
of the Oregon Historical society at
Portland, and Judge Teal has sought
information as to these facts in order
to facilitate his effort to bring the
stones to Dallas as keepsakes Of the
early days and as decorative curiosi-
ties for the court house yard.
In a communication to The Observer
Mr.. Shewey reveals the interesting
early history of these burrs that
ground the wheat of those brave souls
who conquered many hardships in the
settlement of Polk county, and start
ed the agricultural development that
has since made its rich soils produce
the finest grains, fruits and vegetables
in the state. The first mill in Polk
county, according to Mr.. Shewey, was
at Glendale, in 1S4S, and was origi-
nally owned and operated by one o.
Neal; probably James A. O'Neal,
whose name appears in the first court
record of the county. Employed by
O'Neal was Thomas R. Blare, who
crossed the plains to Oregon territory
in 1S43. Together these two men dug
the rock that made the mill stones,
Z" from the hill south of the old resi-
dence on the George Brown place,
four miles north of Dallas The
rock was hauled down to the spring
on this place, where the rough natural
creation was chiseled into the shape of
burrs. This great accomplishment
was hailed far and wide as indicative
of the progress Of the world, and es-
pecially of the community, and no lit
tie interest was excited when the
great stones were tumbled onto a
a lizard" behind seven yoke of oxen
and hauled to the mill site at Ellen
dale, where they served nobly for al
of years, and under at least
two owners, O'Neal and j. w. Nes-
NTH, in grinding into grist for the
livelihood of the community the first
grain crops that were harvested in !
Polk county. "Though the mill had
no conveniences for cleaning grain
and though its work was slow and
tedious it was considered a God-send
by the early settlers" says Mr.. :
Shewey. /,
The ownership Of the mill and the
burrs remained close in the Nesmith :
family, after the transference from .
James O'Neal, until Judge Boise be- 4
came their possessor. Judge Teal =
started years ago a movement to get q
he burrs for the Polk county court !
house lawn, but before he had .
'hance at their acquisition they were
moved to Portland, where they re- !,
NAMED in the yard of one of Judge =
Boise s relatives until that property 4 4
vas sold. They are now on display +
n the rooms of the Oregon Historical -
ociety at Portland and with the as M
istance of Congressman C. A. Near ~
hur, Judge Teal is making a strong =
fort to secure their return to their
ative district.