Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1921-12-28
PIONEER TELLS
|. Of CHRISTMAS
HERE IN 1865
(From Saturdays Daily
MRS. A. ii. RUSSELL RECOUNTS
HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES IN ASH
LAND THE YEAR FOLLOWING
THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD.
Community Tree Where Odd Fellows
Hall Now Stands; Calcio and
Dress Goods FayOrite Christmas
Remembrances of Former Days.

Remembrances OF Former Days.
Christmas in Ashland fifty years
ago! What memories the words
awaken in many an aged heart!
Most of those who lived here in the
COS had but lately come from the
East, leaving behind loved ones
from whom they were separated by
the width OF continent. More than
one heart was sore over the loss Of
friend or relative, killed by the
savage foe who still lurked in the
hills with arrows and
cruel tomahawk.
But the little company OF pioneers
was brave and cheerful, determined
to make the best of the hard condi-
tions In their new home. And all
conditions were not hard. Ashland
weather was just as pleasant then as
now, the trees and mountains as
beautiful, the water as pure and
sparkling. Wild game was plentiful,
while clothing, groceries and other
things needful were hauled or
packed over the mountains from
Crescent City and Portland.
"Well do | recall the Christmas
OF 1865, the next year after the
Civil war" relates Mrs. A. H. Rus
sell, eighty-three year old Ashland
pioneer living at 1T North Main
street, to Tidings representative
"I was twenty-seven years old and
living with my husband right here
where | have resided ever since. We
had a community Christmas tree in
the town hall, which stood on the
site OF the present Odd Fellows
building.
"There were sixteen business and
professional men in Ashland at that
time. They were; Charley Klum,
school clerk; Bob Hargadine, store
keeper; Jim Thornton, woolen man
ufacturer; Jake Wagner, flour mill;
jim Russell marble works; Mike
Nickleson, blacksmith; Bill Kent
ner, wagon maker; Ebe Emery, tay-
ern keeper; John Mccall, merchant;
A. V. Gillette, sawmlll man and JUS
tice of the peace; Ed Depeal, lawyer;
Abe Helman, carpenter, Abe Gid
dngs. stage driver; Oliver Apple
gate. teacher; Ivan Applegate, tele-
grapher; Albert Rockefeller, whose
business cannot recall.
Here Is a dim photograph show
ing these men standing in front OF
the old Ashland House, which was
located on the present site Of the
Ford garage. There Is Bill Kentner
with a wagon wheel. my husband
with block OF granite. and all the
rest Of them, each with something
to indicate his work. Another view
shows Bob Hargadine's house where
the First National bank now stands.
with timber on the south and east
sides.
"a mass meeting was called to ar
range for the tree, and present and
a program. In order to avoid being
given something to do, stayed away
but was appointed on the committee
to solicit money and buy gifts for
the children. I rebelled, saying It
was not fair to place someone who
was absent on the most responsible
OF all the committees.
"A Methodist South minister. Rev.
Johnson. who used to stay with us.
persuaded me to consider the ap-
pointment favorablv. so | finally
consented to serve. provided Mrs,
James Thornton would help. We
collected $40 and obtained the
names OF all the children In town.
A bag OF candy and some small gift
was provided for every child. The
costliest presents we bought were
hat for an orphan boy and silver
thimble for a girl whose mother we
feared would be dlspleased with a
cheaper present Thse two articles
cost one dollar each.
"The tree committee did not have
to go so far TO ge. fine young fir
as they do now. because the forest
then came right down TO our back
yards. The tree was decorated with
strings of popcorn. bits OF colored
paper and tallow candles. Candle
lanterns lighted the room. this be-