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CCC 1935- The Civilian Conservation Corps
in Southern Oregon.
CLEAR CREEK CCC HAS YULE FEAST
CCC CAMP CLEAR CREEK, Jan. 3.--(Spl.)--As usual, the dinner at Clear
Creek camp was the most important event of Christmas. It was held back
until 4 p.m., so as to make the men hungrier. Thus they ate more and
enjoyed their Christmas celebration with greater zeal.The camp's own orchestra opened the dinner ceremonial by playing "River, Stay 'Way from My Door." The men then started to devour turkey and everything that goes with it. A package of cigarettes was given each man immediately before the meal. Lieut. Slusser wished all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and received similar greetings in return. At 8 p.m. everyone met in the recreation hall for amusement, with Lieut. Slusser as master of ceremonies. A Christmas tree, highly decorated, stood in one corner. It made the scene more impressive with the Christmas spirit. The fun began when Lieut. Slusser led the camp in "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here," accompanied by the orchestra. Some played instruments and sang to show their skill. The educational advisor gave a speech on the "Oregon Trail." The camp doctor gave a brief address on the meaning of Yuletides. Immediately after, all adjourned to the mess hall, where they indulged in ice cream, candy, nuts, cake and coffee. Medford Mail Tribune, January 3, 1935, page 6 ACTIVITY OF CCC PAST 18 MONTHS SHOWN IN REPORT
WASHINGTON--(Spl.)--Robert Fechner, director of emergency conservation
work, today made public two reports covering the conservation work
activities o, the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps forest camps.
The first, compiled by the census bureau from work total sheets
forwarded to Washington from the forest camps, includes a complete
record of all the forest and park conservation, improvement and
protection work done by the 350,000 men of the corps during the 18
months' period ending September 30, 1934. The second report, prepared
by the War Department, the Department of the Interior and the
Department of Agriculture, estimates the value of the thousands of
miles of truck trails built, the hundreds of thousands of soil erosion
dams constructed and the more than 100 other types of work completed by
the Civilian Conservation Corps men at approximately $291,000,000.Trails, Dams and Other Work Accomplished Worth $291,000,000 Estimate Government Departments Many Activities.
The first report disclosed that through September 30, the young men,
war veterans, experienced woodsmen and Indians of the forest camps. had
built 41,582 miles of truck trails through the forests, laid 25,089
miles of telephone tines through forest and park lands, opened up
27,989 miles of firebreaks through timbered areas, reduced fire hazards
over 825,808 acres of timbered lands, spent 1,605,000 man-days fighting
fire, planted 204,000,000 trees, improved 1,392,000 acres of timber
stands through removal of obstructions and the thinning out of
undesirable trees, covered 2,922,000 acres in a drive to reduce timber
losses caused by insect pests, carried on campaigns against
tree-attacking diseases over 2,657,000 acres, conducted control
operations against rodents over 9,672,782 acres, developed better
recreational facilities over tens of thousands of acres of national
park, state park and national forest lands, constructed 778,000 soil
erosion prevention dams and completed a substantial amount of other
types of work including flood control, timber surveying, construction
of lookout houses and fire towers, rodent control operations and
wildlife conservation.Huge Value Seen.
In the second report, the various
cooperating departments reported as follows in regard to the valuations
of the work done:
$20,000,000 for land purchases, made possible the acquisition of millions of acres of new national forest and national park lands. Through September 30, $17,992,424 of this $20,000,000 had been obligated. The acreages acquired included additions to the national forests amounting to 4,892,804 acres and additions to the national parks amounting to 67,100 acres. "The work accomplished to date has proved of great value in reducing losses normally caused each year by forest fires, insects and diseases," says Director Fechner. "It should result in cutting down such losses in the future. The thousands of miles of truck trails which have been constructed will make it possible to move trucks, men and firefighting equipment quickly into areas endangered by fires. These protective trails represent permanent investments in forest fire protection. The removal of such excessive fire risks as old dead trees and rotting logs from valuable timber areas reduces the fire hazard for years to come. Firebreaks constructed through forested areas will assist in the suppression of fires when they develop. The thousands of miles of new telephone facilities and the new fire towers and observation towers constructed throughout our forests and parks will expedite the prompt detection and reporting of fires. "The presence of the hundreds of thousands of CCC men in the woods during the fire danger months of the past year and a halfn together with the big increase in truck trail mileage and other firefighting facilities built by the CCC, have proved of great value in holding down fire losses. Since the CCC work began, the enrollees have expended more than 1,665,000 man-days fighting forest fires. More than 900,000 man-days were spent by CCC men on the firefighting line this past summer and fall. Officials of the Forest Service and National Park Service assert that the presence of this large potential group of firefighters has made it possible to hold fire losses well below comparable years during this past season. The two services concur in the opinion that had it not been for the protective work done by the Civilian Conservation Corps men the fire losses would have been much greater. Fight Tree Pests.
"Control measures to reduce the damages caused by rodents and tree
diseases have been carried forward successfully. With the aid of more
than 12,000 enrollees the blister rust division of the Department of
Agriculture has launched its first major drive against the white pine
blister rust, the most dangerous tree disease threatening our forests
in the campaign against this fungus menace to our remaining stands of
white pine; the forest workers eradicated more than 100 million currant
and gooseberry bushes from pine areas. These bushes act as alternate
hosts in the spread of this disease. Effective work has been done by
the Civilian Conservation Corps in campaigns against the gypsy moth,
bark beetles and rodents."Medford Mail Tribune, January 4, 1935, page 15 CCC COOKS, BAKERS, MEAT CUTTERS
CCC CO.
964, CAMP WIMER, Jan.
8.--(Spl.)--Now that the new year has gotten under way, Wimer is going
to be a busy camp.TAKE LESSONS AT WIMER The camp began a cooks', bakers' and meat cutters' school Monday, with 36 students in the classes from all camps in the Medford district. They are to get actual experience in the above-mentioned courses, under the direction of capable instructors. These courses are to last four weeks. The students will work in three shifts with 12 men to a shift. Those taking the bakers' course will bake bread and pastry for company use. The meat cutters will cut meat for many of the camps in the district. As for the cooks, they will cook one day and study the next so as to give the next shift a chance to cook. The schools are an example of of the good that is being done by the CCC's and the educational and practical training at the disposal of the members. Medford Mail Tribune, January 8, 1935, page 2 FOREST SERVICE LISTS CCC WORK FOR
PAST MONTH
A statement of the work accomplished by the five CCC camps located
within Rogue River National Forest for the month of December, 1934, was
issued today from the Forest Service headquarters.Included in the report is such work as telephone line construction, reduction of fire hazard, roadside cleanup, construction of lookout houses and towers, construction of truck trails and horse trails, maintenance of campground facilities, campground clearing and construction of campground buildings. The work is done by Camps Applegate, Elk Creek, Evans Creek, Carberry and South Fork. The report follows: Telephone Lines.
Miles
constructed: Elk Creek, 2; Evans Creek, 2.5; total 4.5.Fire Hazard Reduction.
Acres
completed: South Fork, 40.Roadside Cleanup.
Miles
completed: Applegate, 4; Elk Creek, 15; Carberry, 8; South Fork, 1.2;
total, 28.2.Lookout Houses, Towers.
Number
constructed: Applegate, 1 house and 1 tower.Truck Trails.
Miles
completed: Applegate, 2.5; Elk Creek, .8; Evans Creek, 1;
Carberry, .2; total 4.5Miles partially completed: Applegate, 1; Evans Creek, 2.2; Carberry, 4.2; South Fork 5; total, 12.4. Miles maintained: Applegate, 20.5; Evans Creek, 10; Carberry, 8; South Fork, 11.2; total 49.7. Horse Trails.
Miles
completed: Applegate, .5.Campground Facilities.
Acres
completed: Applegate, 1.Acres partially completed: Applegate, .5. Other Structures.
Number
partially completed: Elk Creek, 1.Medford Mail Tribune, January 8, 1935, page 2 CCC CAMP COOKS GIVEN TRAINING
With an enrollment of 25 cooks from all camps in the Medford CCC
district, a course is under way at the fairgrounds headquarters
detachment in which camp cooks are being trained to become mess
sergeants. The course, under the supervision of First Lieut. Charles H.
Jeffress, QM-Res., is the first of its kind to be started in any CCC
district.Under the instruction of Lieut. Jeffress, the cooks enrolled are taught proper methods of preparing a complete company mess. Balanced menus and the proper proportions of vitamins are stressed, so that the enrollees will be able to supervise work of the cooks themselves. A course for the preliminary training of cooks has been organized at Camp Wimer, where a group of CCC enrollees is being taught butchering and the fundamental principles of preparing food. The fairgrounds course takes up the instruction after the enrollees have become thoroughly acquainted with these principles. The class, under way since Monday, will be brought to a close at the end of this week. Medford Mail Tribune, January 13, 1935, page 11 CCC Boys to Hear Son of Pioneers on Early History
CAMP HUMBUG MOUNTAIN, Jan. 16.--(Spl.)--Illinois boys of CCC Co. 611,
stationed at Camp Humbug Mountain, situated in a region rich in pioneer
history, will have an opportunity to hear the story of the exploration
and settlement of this section from a living member of the Illinois
family linked closest to its early settlement when Frank Tichenor
lectures in the camp at 8 p.m. on Thursday. Mr. Tichenor is a grandson
of Captain William Tichenor, who first landed an organized company near
the present site of Port Orford. Captain William Tichenor's wife's name
was England. The Englands and Tichenors originally lived in Illinois,
the captain having been a friend of Abraham Lincoln.Medford Mail Tribune, January 16, 1935, page 8 CCC CONTINUANCE FOR ANOTHER YEAR
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18.--(AP)--More money for the Home Owners' Loan
Corporation and extension of the Civilian Conservation Corps are
planned by President Roosevelt.ROOSEVELT'S PLAN At his press conference today he said additional funds for the home corporation, to meet applications already on file, would be sought but the amount had not been decided upon. A billion dollars has been mentioned in administration sources. The President said he favored continuing the CCC for another year. On the proposal for old age pensions, he emphasized that while the federal government had limited its share to $15 a month, there was no limitation upon the amount the states might provide. He said the federal limit was necessary to keep the old age program within sound financing. As for the unemployment insurance proposal, Mr. Roosevelt said he assumed the states would adopt a uniform system of providing for workers who change from one job to another so their contributions to the insurance fund would be safeguarded. Hope was expressed by the President that the social security legislation would be put through quickly so it could get to the state legislatures before most of them adjourn about the end of March or first of April. Medford Mail Tribune, January 18, 1935, page 7 TABLE ROCK PHONES COST RESIDENTS $7
TABLE ROCK, Jan. 19.--(Special)--At the annual meeting of the Table
Rock Telephone Co., held January 4, an assessment of $1 per share was
levied for 1935 maintenance. Including the switchboard charge of $6 per
year and the maintenance charge of $1, the people of Table Rock section
enjoy good telephone service for a total cost of $7 per year.FOR YEAR'S SERVICE Officer elected at the annual meeting were R. E. Nealon, president; E. C. Hamilton, vice-president and J. L. Nealon, secretary-treasurer. A crew of CCC boys will start construction work soon on a Forest Service telephone line through the Table Rock community and into the Meadows district. The new line will start at the Four Corners service station, following the west side of the road to the Table Rock store, running west from there on the south side of the road. An agreement is being drawn whereby the wires of the Table Rock Telephone Co. can be placed on the new poles. Medford Mail Tribune, January 20, 1935, page 8 FIRST AID INSTRUCTION GIVEN CCC PERSONNEL
Robert Fechner, director of emergency conservation work, recently
announced that a total of 26,684 enrolled members of the Civilian
Conservation Corps had been awarded first aid certificates by the
American Red Cross during the months of September, October, November
and December, 1934. The men receiving certificates were graduated from
the first aid schools established in the CCC camps on a nationwide
basis last August.ON NATIONWIDE BASIS Before receiving certificates in first aid, each man was required to pass an examination upon completion of the standard 15-hour course of instruction prepared and issued by the Red Cross. The first aid courses are given under supervision of War Department medical officers in cooperation with the American Red Cross. The regulations prescribe that each class should be taught by an instructor holding a card of appointment from the Red Cross, authorizing him to conduct first aid work. Examination blanks as well as instructor's outlines are supplied by the Red Cross. At the completion of each course, the company commander in charge of the CCC camp submits a list of graduates to the War Department. The number of first aid graduates for Oregon was listed as 308. Medford Mail Tribune, January 24, 1935, page 10 FOREST PROJECTS AWAIT EXPANSION CCC ENROLLMENT
A comprehensive program for the development of Rogue River National
Forest, under the national CCC expansion plan expected to be announced
soon from Washington, D.C., was outlined yesterday by Karl Janouch,
supervisor of Rogue River National Forest, following a three weeks'
conference with officials of the regional forest offices at Portland.Supervisor Janouch Says Local Area Can Utilize Any Force Made Available for Improvements. The local Forest Service has prepared scores of projects embracing enough work to take care of any appropriation likely to be made from the federal administration. Although the plan to increase the national CCC enrollment to 1,000,000 men is only under consideration, Supervisor Janouch judged from the President's recent talk on natural resources, in which he placed much weight on the importance of Forest Service work, that a considerable amount of new work is undoubtedly forthcoming. Should the plan be passed by Congress, it is expected that funds would be made available by April 1. Could Use 35,000 Men
The program prepared by officials of Rogue River forest includes
projects whereby 35,000 men could be employed for the full field
season. These men would be stationed throughout the forest at several
new CCC camps which have been foreseen by local officials and already
mapped. The work these men would carry on has been listed with view to
priority and classified to the smallest detail. It will be checked over
thoroughly before the anticipated appropriations are made and the
program launched.Fire protection and recreational development are given first consideration, due to the fact that Rogue River forest, which is classed among the most important forests in the country, is valued for its timber resources and as a recreational area for Southern Oregon and Northern California. The work will include camp ground improvements, fire hazard reduction and fire prevention, blister rust control, trail and road construction, fish and game preservation, roadside cleanup, telephone line construction and many other projects which will beautify, develop and perpetuate the forest. Summer and Winter Haven
Under recreational development, Supervisor Janouch hopes to make the
forest not only a summer but a winter haven. He disclosed plans for the
development of Lake o' the Woods into an extensive winter resort.
Skiing facilities would be established, and the lake itself would
possibly be made suitable for ice skating and ice boating. Ideal winter
sports conditions are said to exist in the Lake o' the Woods area,
which would be made accessible either by opening a new road through the
Dead Indian country to Ashland or by developing the one through the
Pelican Bay district to Klamath Falls.A new road would possibly be constructed from Fish Lake to Four-Mile Lake, with a view to opening the later to fishing and boating. A new resort would not be established in the Four-Mile area, however, as one there would tend to detract from the present Fish Lake and Lake o' the Woods resorts. Would Complete Loop
Another recreational project under consideration is the completion of
the loop from Ashland to Ashland mountain, thence to Wagner Butte,
thence to Talent. By this road a short drive would be opened through an
area of unsurpassed scenic value.Supervisor Janouch also revealed plans for maintenance of artificial ponds throughout the forest for pump supplies in case of forest fires and plans to surround all areas of great forest fire hazard with firebreaks to prevent spread of fire. Huckleberry Mountain, visited each summer by approximately 3000 tourists, may be thinned of its shade trees and fenced from cattle to develop to the greatest possible extent its harvest of huckleberries. Medford Mail Tribune, January 30, 1935, page 5 EDUCATION CHIEF TO CONFER FEB. 8-9 WITH CCC HEADS
John B. Griffing, civic educational adviser for ninth corps area, CCC,
will be in Medford Friday and Saturday, February 8 and 9, to attend a
meeting of district headquarters of all company commanders, educational
advisers and project superintendents of the district. Several prominent
Forest Service officials from the regional offices at Portland are also
expected to attend.Griffing will bring a resume of his findings in the Vancouver, Fort Lewis, Fort Wright, Boise and Fort Douglas, Utah districts. He is in charge of educational work in the CCC camps of eight western states. George Griffith, public relationship superintendent of forestry activities for the western area with headquarters at Portland, has been given a special invitation to attend, as have the Umpqua Forest Service and Siskiyou Forest Service personnels. One session of the meeting will be given over to a detailed discussion of the educational activities of the district, as affecting the military and educational advisory. The second session will be a general discussion of regulations and carrying out of regulations, and on Saturday Major Clare H. Armstrong, district commander, will preside over a military organization meeting, followed by an educational advisers meeting over which Captain William C. Ryan, welfare officer, will preside. On Saturday evening a dinner dance will be held at Hotel Medford. Medford Mail Tribune, February 3, 1935, page 3 CCC FOR RESERVE MILITARY FORCE IS PLAN OF ARMY
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.--(AP)--An enlisted reserve force of more than
100,000 partially trained young men recruited from CCC camps is
proposed in a bill now being drafted by General Douglas MacArthur, army
chief of staff.MacArthur's bill, being drawn at the suggestion of the house military committee, would provide for voluntary enlistment of CCC camp graduates for two months intense military training. After the two months they would revert to inactive status. There is now no available reserve men to fill the ranks of the regular army quickly in an emergency, MacArthur told the house committee. The young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps, toughened by work in the forest camps, would make ideal recruits for a short, intensive training course, he said. After serving two months the enrollees would be paid $24 per year, sufficient to maintain their interest in keeping the War Department informed of their whereabouts, and periodically presenting themselves for physical examination. Medford Mail Tribune, February 7, 1935, page 1 FLASHY CCC FIGHTERS WAITING GONG
Fighters from the district's most distant CCC camps will meet on the Elks smoker at the club arena tonight.AT ELK CLUB SMOKER TONIGHT The matches will be a continuation of the CCC cards being staged to select the district's best fighters, and all the boys on the card will be battling to win. La Fosta, flashy bantamweight from Humbug Mountain, will tangle with the fast Talermo of China Flats, in one of the feature battles of the evening. Two big men will meet when Romano, China Flats' light heavyweight champion, tangles with Glad of Humbug. King and Petrosky, two junior middleweights of Coos Head, will be matched against Oak Knoll's challengers in this division, while Brubaker of Coos Head will meet an opponent from Oak Knoll. The Marshfield area delegation had arrived and were awaiting the arrival of the Yreka battlers before definite matches were made. The men are given physical examinations and weighed in on the afternoon of the fights, in order to assure well-matched battles. The smoker will follow the regular lodge session, and is open to members only. Medford Mail Tribune, February 7, 1935, page 4 CCC CONFERENCE OPENS TOMORROW
A two-day conference of CCC educational advisers, company commanders
and project superintendents of Medford district will start here
tomorrow with a meeting of commanders at headquarters detachment, and
educational advisers at the courthouse auditorium.Dr. John B. Griffing, ninth corps educational adviser, will be principal speaker at the meeting of educational advisers, bringing with him a resume of his findings during the year throughout the eight western states comprising the district. George Griffith, public relationship superintendent of forestry activities for the western area, with headquarters at Portland, has been given a special invitation to attend, as have officials of Umpqua, Siskiyou and Rogue River national forests, and of officials of the regional Forest Service offices at Portland. Medford Mail Tribune, February 7, 1935, page 7 CCC MITT ARTISTS PROVIDE THRILLS AT ELKS SMOKER
DeShields, 165-pound colored flash from Oak Knoll, smashed his way to a
second round knockout over Glabb, 173, Humbug Mountain, in the main
event of the CCC smoker at the Elks club Thursday evening.The fight was by no means a one-sided affair, for Glabb came out of his corner at the opening bell and rocked DeShields repeatedly with solid blows to the head. The two traded punches on an even basis, neither paying attention to defense, but Glabb appeared to have the edge in the first canto. The second round started fast and DeShields suddenly broke through with a resounding smack to the jaw that floored Glabb. The Humbug gladiator arose, glassy-eyed, and DeShields administered the coup de grace with another haymaker that sent Glabb down for keeps. Palermo, 124, China Flats, won a decision over Jenkins, 120, Indian Creek, in the semi-final event. The little boys kept the crowd in an uproar with their unskilled but enthusiastic wallops. Mercado, 149, Indian Creek, won the nod over King, 151, Coos Head, in another thriller. Both boys waded in as if they enjoyed it, and Mercado's superior condition gave him the edge. Brubaker, 135, Coos Head, took the decision over Espinor, 138, Oak Knoll, in an encounter that did not lack for color. The stocky Espinor put up a good scrap, but the taller Brubaker harassed him with long-range shots. Gudagna, 114, Oak Knoll, was given the nod over LeFasto, 120, Humbug Mountain, in the curtain raiser. LeFasto went down twice but kept bearing in for more until the final bell. A large number of Elks attended the smoker and free feed which followed. Medford Mail Tribune, February 8, 1935, page 13 CCC EDUCATIONAL HEADS CONCLUDE TWO-DAY CONFAB
Camp commanders and educational advisers of the Medford district have
returned to their camps, following a two-day educational conference
held here Friday and Saturday.Dr. J. B. Griffing, civil educational adviser of the ninth corps area, was here to confer with the officers and educators on camp problems. He said the Medford conference was the first two-day educational meeting ever held in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He characterized the program here as the most progressive in the United States and said that many features of the Medford district educational work are being recommended for camps in every corps area by the educational department at Washington, D.C. The Medford district is the first in the United States to have a separate schoolhouse in every camp; it is the first to have moving picture projectors in every camp, and has pioneered with schools for mess stewards, cooks and bakers, company clerks and motor transport personnel. A correspondence course for officers, dealing with the administrative problems peculiar to camp life, has been another district feature which has received wide commendation. Major Clare H. Armstrong, district commander, presided at the conference, which was followed Saturday evening by a dinner and dance at the Medford Hotel. George Griffith, public relations representative of the regional forest office, was among the principal speakers at the meetings. Heads of the Park Service, Forest Service and other agencies were present for the conference which was held in the Jackson County courthouse auditorium. Medford Mail Tribune, February 11, 1935, page 10 WATER SYSTEM IS BEING INSTALLED AT OREGON CAVES
CAMP OREGON CAVES, KERBY, Ore., Feb. 12.--(Spl.)--With clearing weather
rapid progress is being made in the emergency conservation work program
at Camp Oregon Caves. Excavation has been virtually completed at the
site of the 38,000-gallon reinforced concrete water storage reservoir
being installed in connection with the water system under construction
to augment the present water supply to the Oregon Caves monument.CCC Men Making Many Improvements--Underground Pathway Made Safer--Trail Pushed Nine thousand pounds of steel have been received and transported to the site, and it is expected that forms will be set and concrete poured within the next ten days. Nearly two miles of three and four-inch pipe have been purchased for this project, delivery of which will be made the forepart of next week. Improvements on the trail system leading to major points of interest within and adjacent to the monument have been surveyed and work started on the rerouting of the trail to the Big Fir tree. It is planned to have this trail completed within a month and the other important trails completed by the first of April. Work on improving the trail system within the caves is going on apace. Headroom is being increased, doing away with many "headache rocks." Drainage systems are being installed to eliminate sloppy conditions underfoot. Where necessary the trail is being widened and steps are being constructed which, together with improved rampways, will prevent slipping and make it easier to climb the steeper portion of the trail. The "Devil's Backbone" is being removed, thus doing away with one of the most difficult passageways in the entire route through the caves. The water system that runs the entire length of the caves has been temporarily disconnected, and an air compressor has been installed which is tied into the pipeline, making compressed air available for the use of compressed air tools at all required points. Fences and guard rails are being installed at all points where there is any danger of a person slipping. A masonry wall and masonry seats have been placed in the "Ghost Room" at the balcony below the "Widow Maker" to permit a few minutes' rest for tourists through the Marble Halls of Oregon. It is expected that by the end of March the entire trail system will have been greatly improved. The caves will then be open to the most timid tourist, while at the same time none of the natural picturesque features will be altered. The truck trail being built by enrollees from this camp for the Forest Service is being pushed rapidly forward, and with improving weather it is expected that even better progress will be made than in the past. Timbers have been cut, excavations for footings started and materials ordered for an 80-foot span timber bridge across Sucker Creek to connect the trail with the state highway system. Materials have been ordered for a community house to be built in the Grayback Forest Service public campground. The forest camp at this location has been cleared of down timber and dying trees, and the whole site is being prepared for a large influx of summer tourists. Visitors at the camp this week included Major Dark from the Medford army CCC headquarters on a periodic inspection of the camp, and "Mel" Lewis, assistant forest supervisor of Siskiyou National Forest, on a survey of Forest Service work projects. Medford Mail Tribune, February 12, 1935, page 7 SITES EYED FOR MORE CCC CAMPS
VANCOUVER, Wash., Feb. 14--(AP)--Two army officers from Vancouver
barracks were touring Oregon and Washington today is search of sites
for additional CCC camps.Word has been received here that 30 additional camps are to be established in the two states. This army center now provides supplies for 27 camps. Each camp costs about $10,000 to construct, and word from Washington, D.C., has said union laborers are to be given the first chance at the work and that the prevailing wage scale will be paid. Heretofore workers have been enlisted from employment offices. A group of labor union leaders from Portland conferred with army officers here yesterday and discussed the work projects. Medford Mail Tribune, February 14, 1935, page 1 GEN. ROSENBAUM INSPECTS CCC
Brigadier General Otho Rosenbaum, commanding general of the ninth corps
area, visited the Medford district CCC headquarters on an inspection
trip today.General Rosenbaum was en route from Fort Lewis, his former post, to the ninth corps area headquarters in San Francisco. He assumed command of the corps area upon the departure of Major General Malin Craig, who has been placed in command of the Army War College at Washington, D.C. General Rosenbaum inspected the Wimer Camp, near here, Tuesday. The district cooks and bakers school is being carried on at Camp Wimer, and the general was interested in the success of the project. Medford Mail Tribune, February 14, 1935, page 3 TURKEY DINNER TO CCC CHAMPS
The headquarters detachment will enjoy a special turkey dinner Saturday
to celebrate the winning of the Medford zone basketball championship.
The detachment team defeated Elk Creek in the deciding game of the
series, Thursday night, 33 to 19, and Lieut. Charles H. Jeffress,
detachment commander, is fulfilling his promise of a chicken dinner for
a victory.The Elk Creek team put up a game fight, and the members of the team have been invited to partake in the chicken dinner as guests of the detachment. Medford Mail Tribune, February 15, 1935, page 1 Bridgers Get Word to "Shoot the Works"
Bridge experts of Co. 926, Ruch, Ore., are getting set for a big
season. A 70-foot span will be built on the Middle Fork River. This
bridge will be quite modernistic in its design, reports say.A second bridge is also on the company's books; this will be constructed at Butte Falls. "The Fire Line," Happy Days, Washington, D.C., February 16, 1935, page 3 CCC BATTLERS TO GET LAST CHANCE IN ELKS SMOKER
Taking advantage of their last chance to win a place in the Medford
district CCC championships, ten of the leading fighters in the area
will meet Thursday night on the Elks CCC smoker at the Elks temple.The card will be the last of the four elimination cards staged for the purpose of selecting the district's outstanding fighters, and it will be the fighters' last opportunity to prove they deserve a place on the big title card. Captain William C. Ryan, district athletic officer, is picking a choice group of fighters to appear on the final elimination card. Several outstanding boys who have won intercamp matches in other cities will be brought here to show their wares. Fighters from the Marshfield and Yreka areas as well as from camps in the vicinity of Medford will make up the five-bout card. Lieut. Henry Phelan, matchmaker at Yreka, who has brought some of the cleverest fighters of the district here, will be back with a delegation of leather slingers from camps in Northern California and plans to pair them with the class of the Roseburg and Marshfield areas. The Elks-CCC series has given Medford something out of the ordinary in boxing entertainment, for all of the boys are hard fighters and make up for any lack of finesse by a willingness to trade blows at close range. Medford Mail Tribune, February 17, 1935, page 4 CCC CAMP KERBY RETAINS LAURELS
For the second consecutive month Co. 1746, Camp Kerby, was given the
February flag as the best all-around camp comprised of local
experienced men in the Medford CCC district. The award, a green and
white pennant, is given monthly for efficiency in camp and company
administration, policing, mess operation and work carried on in the
forest, which is judged by the Forest Service.Camp Cape Sebastian, comprised of "junior" enrollees, largely from the East, was awarded the Junior flag, which last month was given Camp Clear Creek. Camp Steamboat, Camp Rand, and Camp Carberry were given places in the honorable mention column for Junior companies. Camp Devils Flat, Camp Elk Creek and Camp Yreka were awarded honorable mention in local experienced men division. Medford Mail Tribune, March 5, 1935, page 2 INDIAN CCC BATTLER FACES KAYO ARTIST
De Priest, the knockout artist from Oak Knoll, will clash with Chief
Thomas, Bradford's great Indian fighter, in the semi-final event on the
Elks CCC smoker Thursday evening.ON ELKS CLUB CARD This was announced Wednesday by Capt. William C. Ryan, district athletic officer, upon receipt of word from the coast that Glabb of Humbug Mountain is in the infirmary and will be unable to appear. Glabb was knocked out in the second round of his fight with De Priest here some time ago and a rematch had been slated. In Thomas, De Priest will find an opponent worthy of his steel. Thomas, whose appearances in the north have won him a considerable reputation, has not appeared here before, as no suitable opponent could be found for the deadly redskin. The shift in the card, although it will eliminate the De Priest-Glabb rematch, will probably result in an even better contest. De Priest has yet to be defeated, while the Indian will come here heavily supported by all who have seen him fight. Medford Mail Tribune, March 6, 1935, page 7 PLAN RESTORATION OLD INDIAN FORTS IN LAVA BED AREA
A program to restore old fortifications used in the Modoc Indian War
and to improve the outstanding caves in Lava Beds National Monument was
outlined today by David H. Canfield, superintendent of Crater Lake
National Park. A 200-man CCC camp may soon be established at the Lava
Beds and may come under the jurisdiction of Medford CCC district.Superintendent Canfield said that as the beds are in California, it is not certain whether the CCC camp will be included in the Medford, or in the adjoining California CCC district. Besides various historic buildings in the area, some 300 caves of much interest make the national monument outstanding. Under PWA appropriations, roads will be developed and an efficient well water supply will be provided, instead of the method now used--carrying water some distance. One hundred of the CCC men would be turned over to the division [omission] of grazing, in an effort to restore overgrazed public domain. Medford Mail Tribune, March 6, 1935, page 10 Honors Fall Fast on CCC Company on Oregon Coast
CAMP CAPE SEBASTIAN, March 10.--(Special)--Honors showered on CCC Camp
Cape Sebastian last week thicker than hail on the gold coast.Captain H. J. Meiring, 4234 Northeast Hazelfern Street, Portland, commanding officer, was drafted for service in the Medford district headquarters. Project Superintendent W. A. Langille was drafted to head a National Park Service submarginal land surveying and buying group at Salem, and Dr. F. K. Smith was drafted to serve as Medford district surgeon. As a crowning triumph to the work done by this Gold Coast junior CCC company, the flag for best company in the district was awarded to the Sebastianers by Medford district headquarters. The company, composed almost entirely of Illinois men, has been in this state park location near Gold Beach since October, 1934. FIVE BEST TEAMS OF CCC WILL OPEN DISTRICT TOURNEY
The five crack teams of the Medford CCC district will be in Medford
Saturday to open the tournament that will decide the district champion.First Game Slated for 2:00 P.M. Saturday in High School Gym-- Final Contests Scheduled Sunday. The tournament will start at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the high school gymnasium, with two games slated for the afternoon session. The meet will be continued with two more games Saturday night at 7:30 o'clock and will be concluded with the final two games Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Here are the teams listed in the tournament, each being the champion of one of the five sub-districts: Yreka zone--Indian Creek. Medford zone--Headquarters Detachment Grants Pass zone--Oregon Caves Roseburg zone--Bradford Marshfield zone--Humbug Mountain. Both the Oregon Caves and Humbug Mountain outfits are undefeated this season, each having won ten straight games to take its sub-district title. The Detachment team won four straight to take the smaller Medford zone title. Local basketball fans are invited to attend the tournament free of charge, and it is hoped a good crowd will be on hand. While the local fans have had little opportunity to see the outside teams in action, they have had several occasions to see the Detachment outfit in action. Neugart is captain of the Headquarters team. He played on the Albany High School team for two years and then played on independent teams for two seasons before playing for Southern Oregon Normal in '31, '32, and '33. He is the second high scorer for the season. Hogan, Detachment forward, played three years at Walthill, Nebraska, and two seasons of independent basketball at Sioux City, Iowa. He is the season's high scorer and high point man of the last eight games. Hamm, another Detachment regular, played two years with the Missouri Military Academy at Mexico, Missouri, and two years with the St. Louis YMCA. He also played in the Roseville, Calif., commercial league. Gallatin, who played for four seasons with the Diplomat club, San Francisco, is another regular. Leeper, who saw regular service this season, will be unable to play in the tournament because of an injury. He played two years with the Waldport high school and one season with the Portland YMCA. Woods, a regular, was injured early in the season but recovered and is playing a good game now. He played for three years on the Alsea High School outfit. Upchurch, who played 3 seasons at Timewell and Versailles, Illinois, is another who will see action. Sam Van Dyke, of the Medford High team, will referee the games, and Dr. D. E. Wiedman, district educational coordinator, will umpire. Medford Mail Tribune, March 15, 1935, page 10 CHINA FLAT CCC MEMBER DROWNS
MARSHFIELD, Ore., March 19.--(AP)--Edward Hamilton, 20, member of the
China Flat CCC camp near Powers, drowned in the Coquille River late
yesterday. He had excused himself from a meeting of workers and
officers to get a drink of water. When he failed to return a search was
started, and his body was found floating several hundred yards away.
The body sank before fellow workers could reach it and had not been
recovered this morning.Hamilton was to have been mustered out of the service and to have returned to his home in Chicago late this week. Medford Mail Tribune, March 19, 1935, page 1 3 SPECIAL TRAINS TO TAKE CCC MEN HOME THIS MONTH
The first of three special trains carrying CCC members to the Middle
West for discharge will leave Medford Saturday, March 23, commanded by
Major Clare H. Armstrong, district commander.The three trains will carry members who do not wish to enroll for the fifth CCC period. The first train will take about 175 men, 50 of whom will be from Camp China Flats and 125 from Camp Sebastian. Major Armstrong will be accompanied by First Lieut. Roy W. Otto, Cav. Res., as mess officer, and First Lieut. Frank L. Hoagland, Med.-Res., as medical officer. The train will take the men to Fort Sheridan, Ill., for discharge. The second of the special trains will leave here March 25, commanded by Captain Chauncey L. Pierce, with Capt. John R. Murray as mess officer and Captain Audley C. Joslyn as medical officer. The train will carry 377 men from the following companies: Humbug Mountain, 88; McKinley, 67; Oregon Caves, 85; South Fork, 84; and Rand, 53. The men will be discharged at Fort Sheridan. The third train will leave March 26 for Fort Crook, Neb., and Fort Sheridan, Ill. The officers to accompany this train have not yet been named. It will carry 409 men from the following companies; Seiad, 70; Sitkum, 47; Coos Head, 74; Wolf Creek, 75; Clear Creek, 86; and Steamboat, 57. Medford Mail Tribune, March 21, 1935, page 2 FREIGHT PLOWS INTO CCC TRAIN
SCOTT CITY, Kas., March 26.--(AP)--Two Portland, Ore., trainmen were
severely injured and about 30 Oregon CCC recruits cut and bruised early
today when a freight train plowed into an eastbound passenger train
while taking a siding in front of the station at Shields, Kas.30 BOYS INJURED WHILE EN ROUTE EASTERN HOMES Two Trainmen Severely Hurt--Train Left Medford Saturday Morning-- Major Armstrong in Command. The freight train was on the main track. The engineer said he did not see the passenger train taking the siding on account of the dust. The fourth and fifth Pullman cars, loaded with sleeping CCC boys, were struck by the engine. One side of the fourth car was torn away as it was turned over and the fifth car was derailed and left tilting at a 45-degree angle. Pullman conductor P. T. Hardesty of Portland, Ore., suffered chest injuries and broken ribs and Porter C. E. Digbee of Portland suffered a wrenched back. Both were brought to a hospital here. Dr. Deal of Dighton was called for first aid to the CCC boys assisted by army doctors on the train. The CCC train of nine coaches was from Medford, Ore., headed for Fort Sheridan, outside of Chicago. Major Clare H. Armstrong, commander of the Medford CCC district, is commander of the CCC special train, which was struck to a freight train. First Lieutenant Roy W. Otto accompanied Major Armstrong as mess officer and Dr. Frank L. Hoagland as medical officer. Twenty-eight CCC men were injured in the accident, but none seriously, according to a wire received from Major Armstrong by Major Robert F. Dark, acting district commander. They were given immediate first aid treatment by the train surgeon, Dr. Hoagland, and none had to be taken to a hospital. The train was to be delayed about seven hours by the wreck. One hundred and seventy-five men, 50 of whom were from Camp China Flats and 125 from Camp Cape Sebastian, were on the special train. All were being taken back to Fort Sheridan for discharge at the end of their CCC enrollment period. The officers will return here at the completion of the trip. Medford Mail Tribune, March 26, 1935, page 1 THIRD SPECIAL TRAIN LEAVES THIS MORNING
The third special train to depart from this district with CCC enrollees
for discharge in the Middle West left Medford Tuesday morning under
command of Capt. Guy W. Saunders of Camp Wimer. Lieut. Robert R.
Colwell of Rand was mess officer and Lieut. Clarence R. Blatchford of
Humbug Mountain was medical officer.WITH HOMEBOUND CCC The train carried 228 men from the following companies: Coos Head, 35; Steamboat, 40; Wolf Creek, 55; Clear Creek, 43; Seiad, 30; Sebastian, 1; and Sitkum, 24. The train completes the movement of CCC members who are not reenrolling for the next period. The men will be replaced by new enrollees from the same areas. The train was to proceed to Fort Crook, Neb., and Fort Sheridan, Ill. All three of the officers were granted a seven-day leave en route, to visit friends and relatives in the Midwest. Medford Mail Tribune, March 26, 1935, page 1 CCC Boys Injured in Rail Wreck
Scott City, Kas., March 26.--(AP)--Two Portland trainmen were severely
injured and about 30 Oregon CCC recruits cut and bruised early today
when a freight train plowed into an eastbound passenger train while
taking a siding in front of the station at Shields, Kas.The freight train was on the main track. The engineer said he did not see the passenger train taking the siding on account of the dust. The fourth and fifth Pullman cars, loaded with sleeping CCC boys, were struck by the engine. One side of the fourth car was torn away as it was turned over and the fifth car was derailed and left tilting at a 45-degree angle. Pullman Conductor P. T. Hardesty of Portland suffered chest injuries and broken ribs, and Porter C. E. Digbee of Portland suffered a wrenched back. Both were brought to a hospital here. Dr. Deal of Dighton was called for first aid to the CCC boys, assisted by army doctors on the train. The CCC train of nine coaches was from Medford, Or., headed for Fort Sheridan, outside of Chicago. ----
The CCC boys in the wreck had completed enlistments in camps of
Southern Oregon. They were mobilized last weekend at Grants Pass and
Medford.Their homes were in Chicago and nearby Illinois cities. Oregon Journal, Portland, March 26, 1935, page 1 APPLEGATE ROAD KINKS REMOVED
With the cooperation of the county and the U.S. Forest Service, several
miles of extremely crooked road along Big Applegate River on the west
side between Cameron bridge and Seattle Bar is being straightened, it
was announced today at the Medford Forest Service offices.A crew of men from Applegate CCC camp is doing the work, with the county furnishing the machinery and the Forest Service, materials. Several sharp, dangerous turns both above and below Star ranger station are being eliminated. The crew has been at work since March 7. Medford Mail Tribune, March 29, 1935, page 5 CCC CAMP OPEN ROXY ANN LOOMS McNARY INFORMS
PORTLAND, March 30.--(AP)--A dispatch to the Journal
today from Washington, D.C. said the National Park Service has reported
to Senator McNary that it hopes to assign a CCC camp to the Prescott
Memorial Park in Jackson County.Proposed Expansion Conservation Work Will Benefit Prescott Memorial Project--Siskiyous Reserve to Get More Land. ----
Prescott Memorial Park, on Roxy Ann, east of Medford, has been received
by the National Park Service and if the proposed expansion of emergency
conservation work takes place, it is likely a camp will be established
there.The move was initiated by the Jackson County chamber of commerce in an effort to secure further development work for the memorial park, which is expected to become one of the favorite show places of this vicinity. ----
WASHINGTON, March 30.--(AP)--Senator McNary's bill to add 59,000 acres
to the Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon was passed by the Senate
Friday. The lands embrace some of the best virgin timber in the state
and are unsuited to agriculture. About 57,000 acres are privately
owned, the Coos Bay Lumber Company holding title to most of it. The
rest is federal or Oregon and California Railroad grant land.Two other bills sponsored by Senator McNary were approved. They call for a preliminary examination of Umpqua River and tributaries with a view of flood control, and a similar examination of the Coquille River. Senator Steiwer of Oregon was successful in gaining approval of his bill for flood control surveys of the Nehalem, Miami, Kilchis, Wilson, Trask and Tillamook rivers, and Senator McNary added the Willamette River to the list. Medford Mail Tribune, March 31, 1935, page 3 ‘GASQUET GAZETTE' PUBLISHED BY CCC
Copies of the first edition of The Gasquet Gazette,
camp paper of Camp Gasquet F-18, 1344th Company CCC, at Crescent City,
were received in Medford today, the paper having come off the press
March 23. The Gazette will be published each month in the interests of the enrollees of Camp Gasquet, by the camp's journalism class.Under the editorship of Harold Benedict and the advisorship of Wallace C. Griffith, interesting camp news is presented, as well as humor columns. A feature of the four-column, four-page paper is a striking masthead. The paper includes a brief history of Camp Gasquet, which was organized May 21, 1933, under Capt. Shirley B. Hunt. Medford Mail Tribune, March 31, 1935, page 14 CCC OFFICERS WILL HONOR MAJOR DARK
Officers of Medford CCC district and their lady guests will give a
farewell dinner and dance at the Lithia Hotel in Ashland Saturday night
honoring Major Robert F. Dark, district executive officer, who has been
ordered to duty at Knoxville, Tenn. Eighty are expected to attend. The
committee in charge will be First Lieut. Leslie G. Ross, First Lieut.
Theodore P. Coates and Second Lieut. Roy D. Craft.AT FAREWELL DANCE Mrs. Dark will be unable to attend, having been called to San Francisco by the serious illness of her father. Before leaving for his new post in Knoxville, Major Dark will have two months' leave of absence, and he and Mrs. Dark plan to vacation on the Pacific Coast, returning the first of June to attend the graduation exercises of their niece, Miss Frances Elaine Combes, who has been living with the Darks and attending Medford High School. Major Dark reported for duty in the Medford district from Eugene district July 28, 1933, and was promoted to the rank of Major Oct. 1, 1934. He assumed command of the district last month during the absence of Major Clare H. Armstrong, who is expected to return Friday from a trip to the Middle West, during which he was in command of a casual train. Medford Mail Tribune, April 3, 1935, page 4 CCC DRILL CREWS STAGE CONTEST
The jackhammer crews of the CCC side camp at Talent have just finished an interesting rock-drilling contest.Working 21 shifts of 8 hours each, these two crews drilled 2324 and 2323½ feet of hard rock each. At the end of each day's work the record for the day was posted, and toward the finish every man in camp was pulling for his favorite crew. An average of 110⅔ and 110 9/14 feet, respectively, was accomplished for a day's work, and is a record for any three-man crew. The winners were Floyd Munden, Reino Raikko and John Berberick. Tommy Walker, Eddie Davis and Farrel Snider were second, losing by only seven inches. Cigarettes were awarded as prizes by the Forest Service superintendent, L. H. McGuire, and foreman True Lewis. Medford Mail Tribune, April 3, 1935, page 10 APPLEGATE CAMP MARKS BIRTHDAY
CAMP APPLEGATE, CCC, April 3.--(Spl.)--To celebrate the second
anniversary of both the CCC and the organization of Camp Applegate, Co.
926, a 36-page special edition of The Sluice Box appeared March 25.The cover pages were done in golden red yellow with the picture of the entrance gate to the camp in green as the cover design. The book was dedicated to the men with a picture of President Roosevelt on the dedication page. The book, composed of four sections, included the features, the history of the camp and each enrollee's record on the work projects, sports and humor, and a copy of everyone's personal signature written on the stencil by the enrollees. Medford Mail Tribune, April 3, 1935, page 10 CCC BOYS SPEED WOODS WORK FOR FIRE PROTECTION
CAMP WIMER, April 4.--(Spl.)--Medford will be the nerve center of a
75-mile-long system of forest trails and telephone lines connecting
Sexton Mountain, King Mountain and Battle Mountain lookout stations
when the Oregon boys who compose this Medford district CCC company,get
through carrying out the plans of Lynn F. Cronemiller, state forester.
It is expected that the work will be finished by the fall of 1936.
Intensive summer work will proceed full blast as soon as replacements
bring Captain Guy W. Saunders' all-Oregon company to full strength
about April 10th.Forest Trails and Phone Lines Being Built for System Centering in Medford--Miners Are Also Aided. Work on the Evans Creek-Medford telephone line, which has been pushed through the winter, is now within two weeks of completion. Two bulldozers, taking advantage of the better weather of the past week, are working seven ten-hour shifts a week slashing road up the gulches toward the still-snowclad ridges where the control roads will run. When the work is finished, lookouts will be able at the first tiny wisp of smoke to set in motion flying squadrons of trucks and men out of Medford, Rogue River or Grants Pass to bring the fire under immediate control. By this project four whole townships of fir- and pine-covered slopes and gold-bearing creeks will be brought under the fire protection of the state forester. Prospectors are thronging into Evans Creek, Pleasant Creek and Grave Creek this year because of the deep snow on the mountains which promises ample water supply until probably July. For them and others who will follow next year the CCC is building roads which will make the formerly inaccessible creeks easy of entrance with supplies. Thus fire control will make more accessible one of the natural resources of this country. Jackson County's summer population will be increased by many a creek miner who will push the gold frontier farther back into the Cascades. One of the loop trails will go round the head of Grave Creek, making every point on that stream easily approachable. Medford Mail Tribune, April 4, 1935, page 9 APPLEGATE CCC CAMP WILL BE TRANSFERRED
BIG APPLEGATE, April 8.--(Spl.)--Company 926, Civilian Conservation
Corps, stationed at Camp Applegate, will be transferred, probably this
month, to Camp Jordan Valley in Eastern Oregon, according to orders
received a few days ago from the 9th corps area headquarters in San
Francisco. Men in spike camps at Talent and Star Ranger Station and all
recruits removed from camp headquarters at present have been ordered to
be back in camp withing the next few days. Local Forest Service
attaches will remain here, and it is understood will continue their
duties with a new company to be transferred to Camp Applegate.EASTERN OREGON SOON The 100 men in camp, most of whom are from Portland, are looking forward to new experiences in Jordan Valley, which previously did not possess a CCC camp. It is reported that the work program there will be given over to a reclamation project, and that the camp will be entirely under supervision of the army without Forest Service direction. Men who are credited with overtime work here will not be extended the privilege of using this time in the new camp. Camp Applegate was established two years ago, and has ranked high among camps of the Medford district in all phases of work. Medford Mail Tribune, April 8, 1935, page 8 GRANTS PASS FIRM TO MAKE CCC SAWS
GRANTS PASS, April 9.--(Spl.)--The Electric Welding and Machinery
Company in Grants Pass was awarded the contract to supply the Medford
CCC district with five circular saws, it has been announced here.The gasoline-driven saws are mounted on skids so that they may be easily transported through the forests where wood is to be cut for the CCC camps. Medford Mail Tribune, April 9, 1935, page 4 CCC CAMP WIMER BEST IN DISTRICT FOR PAST MONTH
CAMP WIMER, April 9.--(Spl.)--The laurel wreath rested firmly on the
heads of Oregon boys when awards were announced by Medford district CCC
headquarters for the month of March. Camp Wimer's company 964,
all-Oregon junior company, was declared best in the district. The
flag awarded by Major Clare H. Armstrong will fly from Wimer's flagpole
as soon as it arrives from Cape Sebastian, where it spent the last
month. Company 964 will be remembered for splendid work done at Agness
during the summer of 1934 where the members were specially commended
for fire fighting.Officers of the military staff are Captain Guy W. Saunders, commanding, Lt. Andrew J. Hemstreet, Lt. (Doctor) L. D. Hansen, Lt. Kermit M. Johnson and adviser Donald Mace. The technical staff are Supt. Paul Thompson; foremen, P. D. Coy, Earl Coffman, L. W. Amort, E. C. Beach, W. A. White; operators, John Connie and Clayton Akin; and blacksmith Wm. Dunbrack. The company is now engaged in making 75 miles of roads and telephone lines connecting Sexton Mtn., King Mtn., and Battle Mtn. to bring the northern townships of Jackson County under the fire control of State Forester Lynn F. Cronemiller. Medford Mail Tribune, April 9, 1935, page 8 PORTABLE HOUSES ARE DESIGNED FOR CCC SIDE CAMPS
CAMP WIMER, CCC.--(Spl.)--Anticipating the prefabricated house recently
perfected by eastern companies, Camp Wimer's CCC technical staff has
devised a three-section unit house for use in side camps. The new
houses, composed of sections bolted together, can easily be demounted,
loaded on trucks and moved from one work project to another, thus
effecting a great saving in labor and materials. Thus in Medford
district, men in side camps will live warm and comfortable in buildings
which are almost as easily moved as tents.Each roof, side wall and floor is composed of three sections bolted together with ⅜-inch iron bolts easily removable. The roof rests on "A" frames, which are themselves bolted into the side plates. The arrangement is so simple that a crew of four can dismount and load a bunkhouse in an hour and a half. State Forester Lynn F. Cronemiller has approved the new plans, and similar buildings will be built as the need arises in side camps of other state ECW camps. In Jack Creek camp, side camp of Wimer, all the buildings are portable, one of them being a house of the new type. The other Wimer side camp two miles north of Medford on the old Crater Lake road is composed entirely of the three-section unit type. When completed this camp will be capable of housing 48 men. A side camp for 48 men includes six bunk houses for eight men each, a mess hall and kitchen, a recreation hall, a meat house, an infirmary, a tool shed, a latrine and an oil shed. Medford Mail Tribune, April 10, 1935, page 2 HUGE EXPANSION OF CCC TO START WITHIN 60 DAYS
WASHINGTON, April 12.--(AP)--Enrollment of the 300,000 new men for the
Civilian Conservation Corps within 60 days was promised today by Robert
Fechner, CCC director, after a conference with President Roosevelt on
this phase of the $4,000,000,000 work-relief program.Enrollment of 300,000 Men Promised by Director Fechner-- Plan 1500 New Camps for States. Fechner went over with President Roosevelt his recommendations for 1500 new camps in the 48 states. Early presidential approval of the plan is in prospect. Take Two Months.
The War Department would build the camps and Fechner expressed the
belief it will be possible to complete the job and enroll the 300,000
new men within a two months' period. The work law authorizes a CCC
corps 600,000 strong.Mr. Roosevelt, in pushing forward the $4,000,000,000 program, was represented as relying on the CCC as one of the first points of action. It was believed the corps will permit absorption of some of the college graduates coming out of school this June who might be unable to find work otherwise. The president also had on his calling list today Rexford G. Tugwell, undersecretary of agriculture, who is expected to take a part in the work relief effort. Fund Advice Given
Moving deliberately, the president had with him during the work relief
conferences Daniel Bell, acting director of the budget, for advice on
allocating funds.Relief administration figures showed that 6 percent of all farm owners and 16 percent of tenants and share croppers were on relief last October. The proportion of tenants on relief was as high as 63 percent in the spring wheat counties. About one-third of the farmers on relief were owners and two-thirds were tenants and croppers. ----
CCC headquarters here have as yet received no official information as
to what effect the passage of the relief bill will have on the Medford
CCC district. They will have no word on the matter until official
orders are received, probably in a week or 10 days, and possibly
longer, it was said.It is generally understood here, however, that the increased enrollment will bring many new men here, and strength is lent to the prospects for the establishment of a new camp at the base of Roxy Ann. When, and if, the camp is established, work will probably be continued on the Prescott Memorial Park at the summit of the mountain. Medford Mail Tribune, April 12, 1935, page 1 OREGON CAVES DANCE MARKS ANNIVERSARY
Oregon Caves CCC camp is celebrating its second anniversary with a
dance tonight at the Oregon Caves chateau ballroom, according to word
received from George Whitworth, project superintendent. Anthony R.
Manno is to be master of ceremonies. About 80 are expected to attend
and, although the CCC boys were doubtful about finding dancing
partners, it is expected that a bevy of girls will attend from Kerby
and the Illinois River Valley.Medford Mail Tribune, April 12, 1935, page 7 WILL ESTABLISH ROXY ANN CAMP FOR PARK WORK
WASHINGTON, April 15.--(AP)--Senator Steiwer of Oregon today made
public a list of 26 additional CCC camps which will be operated in
Oregon during the coming summer under the expanded program of the
Civilian Conservation Corps. There are already 39 camps in Oregon,
making the total 65.Eight of the camps will be re-established as follows: Camp Sherman, Jefferson County; Cascade Locks, Hood River County; Elk Creek and Ruch, Jackson County; Port Orford, Curry County, Mapleton, Lane County; Roseburg, Douglas County; Detroit, Marion County. New camps will be established: Elk Lake, Deschutes County; Silver Lake and Paisley Lake, Lake County; Burns, Harney County, Medford (land grant), Jackson; Yachats and Triangle Lake, Lane County; Drain (land grant), Douglas County; Hilyard (private), Union County; Falls City, Polk County; Tillamook, Tillamook County; Lacomb (private), Linn County. Biological survey camps: Burns and French Glen, Harney County. State parks: Long Tom, Lane County; Battle Mountain, Umatilla County; Shelton, Wheeler County; Prescott Memorial, Jackson County. Medford Mail Tribune, April 15, 1935, page 1 KERBY CCC CAMP HAS FINE RECORD IN FLAG WINNING
CAMP KERBY CCC, April 12.--(Special)--Camp Kerby, F-47, Selma, Oregon,
seems to be in a class by itself when it comes to winning Medford
district "Best Camp" pennants. In the past six months this camp has won
the honor four times and been among the first three places twice. Co.
1746 is composed of local experienced men who live in the vicinity of
Grants Pass and Gold Beach. Although the members are older in years
than the boys in the junior companies, they show by the way they
respond to the leadership of the army officers and the foremen of the
Forest Service in building roads, telephone lines, shop work and
building construction, that they enjoy the thrill that comes as a
reward for a task well done.The company had its origin at Jefferson barracks, Missouri, on June 7, 1933, and the advance cadre of 35 Missouri junior enrollees arrived in Oregon, commanded by Major J. T. Murray, Inf-dol. on June 20, 1933. Captain Harold E. Stow assumed command of the company on June 26, 1933, and remained with the company until October of that year, at which time Captain Chauncy L. Pierce, Inf. Res., took over the command. It was during this time Captain Pierce was in command that the company was made a "special company." At this time the remaining seventeen Missouri junior members were returned to the seventh corps area, and the company was filled to full strength with local experienced men living in Josephine County. In April, 1934, the company was moved to Camp Lower Pistol River in Curry County and the vacancies, which then existed, were filled by residents of both Josephine and Curry counties. In was in May, 1934, that Captain James O. Wanzer, Eng.-Res., present commander, was assigned to the company. October, 31, 1934, saw the company back in its old home at Camp Kerby and ready to continue its habit of setting the pace for the other good companies in the Medford district. The Forest Service superintendent, George A. Davis, has been in charge of the work projects since June, 1933, with the exception of November and December, 1933, when J. K. Blair, ranger at the Redwoods ranger station, acted as project superintendent. Medford Mail Tribune, April 15, 1935, page 6 TEN BOYS TO ATTEND C.M.T.C. THIS SEASON
VANCOUVER BARRACKS, Wash.--(Spl.)--Benefiting from a recent order which
has more than doubled the tentative quota, Jackson County now will be
entitled to send 10 students to the tenth annual Citizen's Military
Training Camp at his post starting July 5th, it was announced today.FROM JACKSON COUNTY The quota was set first at 218, but this has just been raised to 480; and Brigadier-General James K. Parsons, camp commander, has directed that the increase be distributed proportionately to the counties. The camp, as formerly, will run for four weeks, and will be without cost to the trainees, including transportation to and from home. The students live in an orderly tent camp, follow a program in which work and play are blended with heavy emphasis upon athletics and recreation, and enjoy a menu especially arranged for quantity and quality. The camp is open to boys 17 years old or over, and both former students and beginners are to be accepted. General Parsons asks that prospective applicants communicate as soon as possible with the camp authorities, addressing communication to C.M.T.C. Headquarters, Vancouver Barracks, Washington, or call upon their county chairmen if more convenient. The enrollment chairman in Jackson County is Carl Y. Tengwald, Medford. Medford Mail Tribune, April 15, 1935, page 8 ELK CLUB FIGHTS DELAYED BY CCC
The opening of the Elks-CCC fight series, tentatively scheduled for
April 18, has been postponed because of the re-enrollment of CCC men
and the movement of camps.Capt. William C. Ryan, district athletic officer who has had charge of the fight cards, announced today that the contemplated series will not get started this week as originally planned. The series will end with a big outdoors card and picnic in June. As soon as the present unsettled condition is over, the series will be started. A number of outstanding 3-C fighters have signified their intention of battling for new district honors. Medford Mail Tribune, April 16, 1935, page 3 RANGER LUCKY IN TRUCK ACCIDENT
Breynton R. Finch, ranger for Crater Lake National Park now stationed
at Lava Beds National Monument, Cal., escaped injury Thursday noon when
a CCC truck he was driving plunged off an embankment on the
Greensprings Highway and turned over twice, at a point four miles above
Klamath Falls junction.Finch said he necessarily was driving the big truck on the extreme right side of the road and struck a soft shoulder at the same instant he took his eyes off the road to investigate the overheated engine. He said the next thing he knew the truck was on its side 75 feet below the highway. The truck was damaged considerably. He was driving the vehicle back to the Lava Beds after having attended a fire guard training school at South Fork of the Rogue CCC camp. Medford Mail Tribune, April 19, 1935, page 5 41 BOYS REPORT AT CAMP WIMER
CAMP WIMER, April 22.--(Spl.)--A total of 41 Jackson and Josephine
County boys, many of them from Medford, got their first taste of life
in the CCC when they reported for duty to Captain Guy W. Saunders here
today. An additional 28 boys from Multnomah County also reported for
duty, bringing the company to approximately two-thirds full strength.
As rapidly as the boys are conditioned, they will be distributed to the
three points where the Wimer work project is being undertaken.The Wimer drum and bugle corps, depleted by the departure of several members at the end of the fourth period, will draw new life from the ranks of the recruits. A number of the new men are ball players, and baseball practice will begin this week. Medford Mail Tribune, April 22, 1935, page 2 DR. WIEDMAN OF CCC SPEAKS AT KIWANIS CLUB
Dr. D. E. Wiedman, educational coordinator for Medford CCC district,
was the main speaker at the regular luncheon this noon of Medford
Kiwanis Club held at Hotel Medford. His subject was "Vocational
Training for Boys."Dr. Wiedman said that in the training work carried on by the CCC for boys between the ages of 18 to 25, the past five years has witnessed the greatest change the world has ever seen. More than 1,000,000 boys have passed through the CCC, and there are 300,000 in camps at present, an enrollment which may be doubled under a plan in Washington, Dr. Wiedman said. In the 28 camps of the Medford district there are 5800 men whom the government is training, he said. Medford is the "railhead for the 41 camps in Oregon, which will probably be increased to 60 under the expansion program," the speaker continued, pointing out the tremendous help to the community this will mean from an economic standpoint. In the government's effort to "retrain" the CCC boys through an educational adviser in every camp, an opportunity is given all boys to pursue their studies, Dr. Wiedman said. In a report made to the corps area headquarters by the Medford district, the speaker said it was disclosed April 1 that there are 577 volunteer teachers and 517 courses open to the boys, who have read 30,515 books and completed hundreds of correspondence courses. The club was entertained by the weekly Kiwanis quartet, composed of Max Pierce, C. C. Lemmon, Ted GeBauer and R. W. Frame. Paul Carpenter of the Bozeman, Mont., club, and connected with Oregon State College faculty, was a guest. Medford Mail Tribune, April 22, 1935, page 5 WIMER CCC CAMP PROVIDING FIELD FOR ALL SPORTS
CAMP WIMER, April 22.--(Spl.)--Ground was broken here today for the new
athletic field which will soon make it possible for every member of
this Medford district company to take part in his favorite form of
athletics. The new field adjoining the camp includes about 15 acres of
flat land in Pleasant Creek Valley. First project to be completed in
the new field is the baseball diamond. The infield has been graded and
smoothed in ground which gets hard in the summer heat so that the Wimer
Bobcat infield will have no bad-hop alibis in the coming struggle for
supremacy in the Medford district baseball series.Those CCC boys who are addicted to chasing the white pellet will be able to tee off from the new athletic field for the first of a nine-hole golf course which will be full of enough natural hazards to chill the heart of a professional golfer. The choppers and slicers will bounce them off trees and bury them in the creeks. All members of the company who own clubs or can borrow them automatically become members of the Wimer country club. A tennis court and a quarter-mile track will be included in the new field. There will be pits for the high and broad jump and for pole vaulting. Throwers of the javelin, putters of the shot, throwers of the hammer and archers will all have a place to work out. A tennis court will be provided for those who had to be satisfied with pingpong during the winter months. Captain Saunders aims at giving every man in the company an outlet for his energies. Medford Mail Tribune, April 22, 1935, page 7 TRAIN OF CHICAGO CCC BOYS ARRIVES
A trainload of new CCC enrollees, 107 of them, arrived in this city
yesterday from Fort Sheridan, Ill., to report for duty at Co. 1642,
Camp South Fork. Most of the men were recruited from in and near
Chicago.The men were taken to their camp immediately upon their arrival. The trainload brings to this district the first consignment of new men to fill the vacancy left by the several trainloads who were discharged some time ago. Within a short time more recruits will be sent from the Middle West, and also destined for this area are many enlisted in and near Portland. They will be assigned to various camps in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Medford Mail Tribune, April 23, 1935, page 8 213 CCC RECRUITS ON SPECIAL TRAIN
A special train from Fort Sheridan, Ill., brought 113 new CCC members
for Camp Rand and 100 for Oregon Caves camp Wednesday. Lieut. Fred W.
Green of Medford district headquarters met the train at Grants Pass and
supervised the unloading of the recruits.Another special train will arrive on Thursday from Fort McArthur, Cal., with 74 men for Oak Knoll, 24 men for Yreka, 97 men for Indian Creek and 125 men for Evans Creek. Two specials will arrive in the district Friday. One from Fort Sheridan will have 14 men for Humbug Mountain, 135 for McKinley and 142 for China Flats. The other will be from Fort McArthur and will have 125 men for Elk Creek, 125 for Kerby and 85 for Gasquet. Medford Mail Tribune, April 24, 1935, page 11 NINE CCC CAMPS WILL BE SHIFTED OUT OF DISTRICT
Eighteen camps and Headquarters detachment will remain in the Medford
CCC district when the present summer movement is completed, according
to Major Clare H. Armstrong, district commander.Nine of the companies which have been in the Medford district during the period just past are now making preparations to move to other districts in the ninth corps area during the summer. The Medford district has been made up of 27 camps and the Headquarters detachment during the past six months. Although news dispatches from Washington, D.C. indicate a number of new companies will be assigned here as a part of the CCC expansion program, no official word of this has been received. The nineteen camps to remain here are those already in the district and do not include new companies which may be assigned here under the enlarged program. The companies leaving the district follow: Co. 602, Seiad, to Camp Lightning Creek, Fort George Wright district. Co. 611, Humbug Mountain, to Camp Silver Springs, Vancouver Barracks district. Co. 926, Applegate, to Camp Jordan Valley, Boise district. Co. 994, Hilt, to Camp Board Corrals, Redding district. Co. 1626, Camp Steamboat, to Camp Five Mile, Boise district. Co. 1629, Wolf Creek, to Camp Gap Ranch, Boise district. Co. 1641, Clear Creek to Camp Skin Creek, Fort George Wright district. Co. 1652, Camp Cape Sebastian, to Camp Emigrant Springs, Vancouver district. Co. 1907, Camp Spring Flat, to Camp Swinford Springs, Redding district. Seven companies will make moves within the district. They follow: Co. 966 from Carberry Creek to Dog Lake. Co. 1305 from Devils Flat to South Umpqua Falls. Co. 1554 from Yreka to Lava Beds. Co. 1555 from Evans Creek to Diamond Lake. Co. 1634 from Oregon Caves to Annie Springs. Co. 1746 from Kerby to Agness. Co. 1747 from Elk Creek to Upper Rogue River. Companies which will not be moved include the following: Co. 759, Sitkum; Co. 922, Oak Knoll; Co. 964, Wimer; Co. 979, Bradford; Co. 1344, Gasquet; Co. 1622, Coos Head; Co. 1627, China Flats; Co. 1642, South Fork; Co. 1649, McKinley; Co. 1650, Rand; Co. 1910, Indian Creek; and Headquarters detachment. The main movement of companies from this district to other districts will take place about May 1, although most of the companies have sent advance detachments of men ahead to prepare the camps for occupancy. Movements within the district will be made as soon as weather conditions permit moving to the higher altitudes where most of the new camps are located. ----
Portland, April 25.--(AP)--Oregon will have 26 more CCC camps this year
than it had last winter, C. J. Buck, regional forester, announced
through his office here today. Buck now is in Washington, D.C. The
total number of camps operating in Oregon this summer will be 67, each
to house 200 men.Enrollment for the new camps will start at once and will continue until October 1. There will be 36 camps in national forests, four on Oregon & California land grants, two in state forests, nine on private lands, nine in state parks, one in Crater Lake National Park, four identified with the biological survey, and two in grazing areas. Medford Mail Tribune, April 25, 1935, page 1 3 CCC COMPANIES TO OTHER REGIONS ON FIRST OF MAY
Three CCC companies will leave the Medford district May 1 and proceed
to new summer camps in the Vancouver Barracks and Boise, Idaho
districts.Co. 1652, which has been at Cape Sebastian, will go to Camp Emigrant Springs near Meacham, Oregon. The company is commanded by First Lieutenant Donald E. Lindsay, with First Lieutenant Grant H. Edwards, Contract Surgeon Ruber G. McCall and Educational Adviser Orlando P. West. The company will go by special train from Marshfield. Co. 1626, which has been at Camp Steamboat, will go to Camp Five Mile, near Burns, Oregon. Co. 1629, which has been at Wolf Creek, will go to Camp Gap Ranch, also near Burns. They will go by special train from Roseburg. Co. 1626 is commanded by Capt. Luther E. Morgan, with Second Lieut. Kenneth A. L. Johnson, Contract Surgeon E. Noel Smith and Educational Adviser George Meisinger. Co. 1629 is commanded by First Lieut. Roy W. Otto, Contract Surgeon Floyd D. Lewis and Educational Adviser Fenton R. Muldowney. Medford Mail Tribune, April 25, 1935, page 6 SPECIAL TRAIN BRINGS 335 MEN FOR CCC DUTY
A special train of new CCC men arrived in Medford at 2 o'clock this
afternoon, bearing 335 men, 125 of which are destined for duty at Camp
Elk Creek, 125 for duty at Camp Kerby, and 85 will be sent to Camp
Gasquet. Most of the men were recruited in and near Los Angeles.Medford Mail Tribune, April 26, 1935, page 11 Nevada to Get Two CCC Camps
Advance detachments
from two CCC camps now in the Medford district leave for Nevada
Saturday to establish camp sites in Washoe County of that state for the
coming companies, the 994th company, Camp Hilt, and the 1897th company,
Camp Spring Flat, will be transferred back into the Redding district as
soon as the movement of the entire companies into the two Nevada camps
has been completed, according to Major Joseph Andrews, Redding district
commander.Twenty-five men and one officer from each of the companies will meet at Alturas Saturday morning at 10 a.m, being transferred to Nevada from that point by a truck caravan sent out by the Redding district motor pool. The 994th company will be located at Board Corrals, while the 1907th company is going to Swinford Springs. Both camp sites are located northeast of Cedarville, Calif., and are near the Nevada border. These two companies were members of the original Redding district, having been transferred to the Medford district last year. Chico Enterprise, Chico, California, April 27, 1935, page 6 MORE CCC CAMPS, BUT QUOTA CUT
PORTLAND, April 27.--(AP)--A dispatch to the Journal from
Washington, D.C., today said that "although under the expanded CCC
program the number of camps in Oregon will be about doubled, the number
of workers to be drawn from Oregon will be 1,483 less than before."The dispatch said that Robert Fechner, director of conservation work, explained that the new quota is based 50 percent on population and 50 percent on relief needs, throwing a heavily increased enrollment to large eastern cities. Oregon's new man quota was put at 4,200. Medford Mail Tribune, April 28, 1935, page 1 MAJ. ARMSTRONG LEAVES IN JUNE FOR LEAVENWORTH
Major Clare H. Armstrong, commander of the Medford CCC district since
its establishment two years ago, will leave the district early in June
for a short rest before entering the command and general staff school
at Fort Leavenworth this fall.Major Owens Assigned to Command Medford CCC-- Retiring Chief to Take Rest--Leadership Praised. Major George R. Owens, 14th coast artillery, at present assigned to Fort Worden, Wash., will arrive here about May 3 and will assume command of the district when Major Armstrong departs about June 1. Major Armstrong arrived in Medford May 15, 1933, and opened the Medford district. He has been in command since the start and has seen it grow to 28 camps and 5600 men in the period just closed. The district has maintained a high record since the beginning, and has pioneered many phases of CCC work, especially along educational lines. It was the first in the United States with a cooks and bakers school, mess stewards school, clerks school, motor transport school, officers school and others. It was the first to have a separate schoolhouse in every camp. Thousands of men have passed through the district and hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent in the past two years. The officers and men owe much to Major Armstrong for the many achievements made possible under his leadership. Major Owens was commander of Fort Stevens at Astoria, Ore., from 1927 to 1931. He is a member of the Astoria American Legion post. Medford Mail Tribune, April 28, 1935, page 12 MEDFORD BOYS GAIN PROMOTIONS
CAMP WIMER, April 30.--(Spl.)--Roy J. Kay and August Lang of Medford
and Willis H. Stiehl of Rogue River received promotions when the new
ratings were announced at this Medford CCC camp. Kay became a leader;
Lang and Stiehl became assistant leaders. Other ratings announced went
to Dustin A. Dalrymple of Jacksonville, leader, Jack A. Junne of Grants
Pass and Howard Winchell of Klamath Falls, assistant leaders. Wimer is
a state ECW camp located on Pleasant Creek, 11 miles north of Rogue
River.IN CCC STANDING AT WIMER Company 964, stationed at Wimer is an all-Oregon camp with a plurality of Medford boys. Of the 202 men who make up the company, 31 are from Medford, 22 from Portland and 20 from Grants Pass. There are eight boys from Rogue River, nine from Klamath Falls, five from Central Point, three from Rogue River, and seven from Jacksonville. The rest are from towns scattered over Oregon. Medford Mail Tribune, April 30, 1935, page 2 VOCATION CLASSES CLAIM ATTENTION OF YOUTHS IN CCC
According to a report just received at the Portland, Oregon, office of
the U.S. Forest Service, a total of 167,003 CCC men voluntarily
participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps educational program
during the month of January.Instructional Staff Includes 1468 Educational Advisers-- Many Enrolled in Nearby Night Schools This figure represents 53 percent of the total number of CCC men enrolled during that month. The instructional staff includes 1468 educational advisers assigned to full-time duty in the camps. They are assisted by camp military personnel, technical personnel, public school teachers, who are contributing their services voluntarily; and other public-spirited citizens. A total of 22,642 courses were being conducted, of which 43 percent were vocational subjects; 18 percent of elementary level, 32 percent of high school level, 5 percent of college level and 2 percent general. Many in Night Schools
The report disclosed that in January, 29,506 men were enrolled in
courses in nearby night schools; 20,700 were enrolled in correspondence
courses, 70,832 were carrying on hobbies, and 95,602 were doing reading
under supervision. A large number of educational motion pictures were
shown, and 334,102 books were circulated in the camps.The purpose of the CCC educational program, forest officers point out, is to strengthen the morale of enrollees, to stimulate their minds and to prepare them for life after they are discharged from camp. Three different means are employed to carry out these aims: 1. New skills and trades are taught enrollees in classes and on the job as members of the camp work crews. With the hope of earning a livelihood, enrollees are learning to be butchers, cooks, cobblers, carpenters, masons, tree surgeons, etc. The new skills developed by these trades strengthen the morale of enrollees by giving them the confidence and pride of achievement. 2. Elementary, high school, and college subjects are taught in classes. More than 2388 illiterates are learning to read and to write, and to solve simple arithmetic problems. Such subjects as English, economics, history, civics, health and hygiene, agriculture and languages, taught as part of the high school and college work in the camp school, gives enrollees a better understanding and appreciation of life. Thus they become better citizens, capable of intelligent participation in the life of their home communities, and awakened to the responsibilities of Americans toward their country. Hobbies Stimulated
3. To provide enrollees with something worthy to do during their
leisure time, both in camp and at home, hobbies and handicrafts are
stimulated. A number of these are photography, wood carving, pottery,
leather work, metal craft and weaving. When enrollees learn the
satisfaction of "making things” in their spare time, there is less
likelihood of idle hands and loafing after camp period is over.Class attendance is not compulsory, nor is the curriculum prescribed, nor the specific methods mandated. Enrollees study what they wish to study. The job of the CCC camp educational adviser is to counsel with the enrollee, guide him, arrange for him suitable study materials, and point him toward greater vocational effectiveness. Medford Mail Tribune, April 30, 1935, page 2 PRESIDENT OF W.C.T.U. THRILLED WITNESS
CAMP WIMER, April 30.--(Spl.)--Thrilled was Mrs. Ada Jolley, Portland
president of the W.C.T.U., at the sight of this Medford district camp
in full strength drawn up to pay their respects to the flag in the
evening formation. She remarked how fine it was to see the Oregon young
men standing proudly in the shadow of their country's flag.AT WIMER CCC FORMATION Mrs. Jolley, accompanied by Mrs. E. A. Oldenburg, president of Medford W.C.T.U., Rev. E. A. Oldenburg and Medford district chaplain, George Woodall, was inspecting a CCC camp for the first time. She complimented Captain Saunders on the clean-cut appearance of the men and on the neatness of the camp buildings and grounds. A special dinner was given to the inspecting party in the Wimer mess hall. Short talks by Chaplain Woodall and Reverend Oldenburg were followed by a 30-minute address from Mrs. Jolley, pointing out the dire results of immoderate drinking. She was refreshingly humorous, and the Wimer men received her well. Mrs. Jolley, who is visiting south Oregon chapters of the W.C.T.U., will complete her itinerary with an address to the Grants Pass W.C.T.U. before returning to Portland. Medford Mail Tribune, April 30, 1935, page 4 COMFY BEDS FOR MEMBERS OF CCC
Men in Medford CCC district are going to sleep warm and comfortable
this year, even in the camps that are situated in the highest and most
wind-swept mountains. Deliveries are being made this week of
mattresses, new blankets, sheets and pillow cases for every man in the
district, and broad smiles indicate that the new "kivers" are going over great.It will take nine boxcars to bring the equipment into the district and nine truckloads to distribute it among the camps. The new sheets and pillow cases, which will be laundered regularly, will replace scratchy regulation army blankets, and the mattresses will replace straw-filled ticks. Medford Mail Tribune, May 1, 1935, page 3 FOREST 'PHONE LINE TO MEADOWS FINISHED
CAMP WIMER, May 1.--(Spl.)--Final work on the 21 miles of forest
telephone line from Medford to Meadows has just been completed by the
Medford side camp of CCC Camp Wimer, working under the direction of
Foreman W. A. White. The newly constructed line connects into the Rogue
River-King Mountain-Battle Mountain-Medford line, which will serve as a
means of communication between the two lookout stations and District
Fire Warden Dwight Phipps' forestry headquarters two miles north of
Central Point on the old Crater Lake road. The men who constructed the
unit of line, together with Foreman White, have been moved to Camp
Wimer, where they will begin to move the Ditch Creek line over to the
Ditch Creek road.BY CAMP WIMER CCC The Wimer side camp near Medford will not again be occupied until June. At that time a contingent of Captain Saunders' men will move in to stand by as a summer fire fighting party, working under the direction of Mr. Phipps. At the present time Wimer, which has its full company strength of 202 men, maintains a side camp of 44 men at the junction of Jump-Off Joe and Jack creeks. The rest of the members are working out of the main camp, 11 miles north of Rogue River. Medford Mail Tribune, May 1, 1935, page 7 RACE, MIXTURE SEEN IN NEW CCC ARRIVALS
That there is no race discrimination in Medford CCC district is
evidenced by the fact that negro, Mexican, Spanish, Portuguese and
Japanese recruits were received in the last contingent of new men
received from Fort McArthur, Cal.At Camp Evans Creek, and at Camp Elk Creek, both situated in Rogue River National Forest, there are mixtures of all these races, working side by side with squads of "Yankees." Medford Mail Tribune, May 1, 1935, page 8 MAJOR G. R. OWENS ARRIVES TO TAKE COMMAND OF CCC
Major George R. Owens, 14th Coast Artillery, arrived here Thursday
evening and will assume command of the Medford CCC district with the
departure of Major Clare H. Armstrong about June 1.Successor to Major Armstrong Slated to Take Charge About June 1-- Saw Service Overseas Major Armstrong will leave the district early in June for a short rest before entering the command and general staff school at Fort Leavenworth this fall. Major Owens came here from Fort Worden, Wash. He is no stranger to Oregon, however, since he commanded Fort Stevens, at Astoria, from 1927 to 1931. An ardent sportsman, he has fished most of the Southern Oregon streams and is familiar with the territory covered by the Medford district. Overseas Veteran
Major Owens graduated from Virginia Polytechnical Institute in 1917. He
was commissioned in the Infantry in June, 1917. He was detailed to the
Signal Corps in 1919 for four years and was transferred to the Coast
Artillery Corps in 1923.Major Owens served overseas with the Sixth Division. He spent one tour of duty in the Philippine Islands and another in Panama. Major and Mrs. Owens have two children, a son 13 years old and a daughter 15 years. They have taken a house at 19 Geneva Street. Armstrong Here Two Years
When Major Armstrong leaves here next month, he will end more than two
years of service as commander of the Medford district. He arrived here
May 15, 1933, to open the district and has been in command since. Under
his leadership the district has pioneered many new developments in CCC
administration and is recognized as one of the outstanding districts of
the United States.Medford Mail Tribune, May 3, 1935, page 1 FATHER AND SON COOK FOR CAMP
CAMP APPLEGATE, CCC--(Spl.)--"Like father, like son" never meant more
than it does in the case of A. M. Coghlan and his son, A. P. Coghlan,
the two first cooks in the Applegate camp.A. M. Coghlan has been cooking more years in restaurants, hotels, on boats and in camps than most CCC men have lived. He has the touch that gives that extra good flavor to all foods served from his kitchen. Young Andy, who like his father is a fine baker as well as a cook, has followed in his father's footsteps and has himself cooked in restaurants, clubs and camps. Together they make a culinary team hard to beat. Medford Mail Tribune, May 3, 1935, page 7 CHURCH SERVICE SCHEDULE GIVEN FOR CCC CAMPS
Religious services to be conducted in camps of the Medford district
during the month of May by volunteer clergymen of this area have been
announced by Captain George Woodall, district chaplain.Since the start of the CCC program, volunteer ministers have visited the camps and conducted services on regular schedules. The May schedule follows: Applegate, May 7, Rev. Joseph Knotts; Bradford, May 7-21, Rev. D. M. Whitman; Carberry Creek, May 14; Rev. E. A. Oldenburg, China Flats, May 20, Rev. R. C. Young; Clear Creek, May 14, Rev. John Spittler; Coos Head, May 21, Rev. J. D. Chappelle, May 28, Rev. G. V. Fallis. Devil's Flat, May 7 and 21, Capt. O. D. Rice, May 14, Rev. H. P. Sconce; Elk Creek, May 7, Rev. Fred Wetherford, May 28, Rev. W. R. Baird; Evans Creek, May 14, Rev. D. E. Millard, May 28, Rev. E. S. Bartlam; Gasquet, May 14-28, Rev. J. L. Johnson; Hilt, May 7, Rev. J. E. Morgan, Rev. D. E. Nourse; Humbug Mountain, May 7, Rev. J. D. Chappelle; Indian Creek, May 7-21, Rev. John Spittler; Kerby, May 7-28, Rev. F. Wemette, May 14, Rev. J. P. Steer. McKinley, May 14, Rev. R. C. Young, May 28, Rev. Leslie Gibson; Oak Knoll, May 7, Rev. Charles E. Dunham, May 21, Rev. M. L. Edwards, May 28, Rev. C. D. Miller; Oregon Caves, May 7, Rev. J. W. Haman; Rand, May 7, Rev. H. P. Sconce, May 14, C. H. Hilton; Seiad, May 7-21, Rev. P. N. Babcock, May 28, Rev. John Spittler; Sitkum, May 28, Rev. P. F. Downing. South Fork, May 14, Rev. Smith, May 28, Rev. D. E. Millard; Spring Flat, May 14, Rev. P. N. Babcock, May 21, Rev. P. C. Knudson; Wimer, May 7, Rev. W. R. Baird, May 14, Rev. J. W. Haman, May 21, Rev. E. A. Oldenburg; Yreka, May 7, Rev. C. D. Miller, May 14, Rev. P. C. Knudson, May 21, Rev. R. T. Holmes. Medford Mail Tribune, May 3, 1935, page 8 COUNTY WILL GET 4 NEW CCC CAMPS
WASHINGTON, May 4.--(AP)--Location of 87 new Civilian Conservation
Corps camps, bringing total employment to approximately 49,600 men in
Washington, Oregon and Idaho was announced today by Robert Fechner,
director of emergency conservation work.Location of the new Oregon camps in Southern Oregon, except those on soil erosion, which will be announced later, follows: National forests: Roseburg, Douglas County; Trail, Jackson County; Ruch, Jackson County; Port Orford, Curry County. Land grant camps:; Drain, Douglas County, Medford, Jackson County. Reclamation camps: Merrill, Klamath County. State parks: Medford, Jackson County. Grazing camps (2): Klamath County, Lake County. ----
It is understood here by CCC officials that the land grant camp cited
for this city is to be the one on Roxy Ann for work on the Prescott
Memorial Park. The national forest camp at Ruch will probably be Camp
Applegate, vacated for the summer. The Trail camp is undoubtedly Camp
Elk Creek, also vacated. Under the old setup, these two camps did not
receive official recognition, at this time of year.Medford Mail Tribune, May 5, 1935, page 1 CCC YOUTH DROWNS IN SWIMMING NEAR YREKA
Edgar Robinson, CCC worker, age 19, was drowned Sunday near Yreka while
in swimming. The youth dived into the water and came up once.Grapplers were several hours recovering the body, which was brought to Medford to be forwarded by Conger Funeral Parlors to Los Angeles. Medford Mail Tribune, May 7, 1935, page 1 CCC FORMS NUCLEUS FOR NEW COMPANIES
Each company in the Medford CCC district is training a group of 14 men,
seven from the army and seven from the Forest Service, as leaders,
cooks and foremen, to form a nucleus for the new companies which will
come into the district in June.Each cadre will be turned over to the new companies as they arrive, so that trained men will be available for the work of organizing the camps. Medford Mail Tribune, May 7, 1935, page 3 HEAVY JOLT GIVEN DRUNK DRIVER FOR SECOND OFFENSE
Floyd Edgar Bryant, CCC worker, charged with driving an auto while
intoxicated, was sentenced to serve six months in the county jail, pay
a fine of $150 and had his driving license suspended for one year by
Justice of the Peace William R. Coleman yesterday. Bryant entered a
plea of guilty. It was his second conviction of the same offense. The
sentence was the heaviest yet meted out by the court for drunken
driving.The court said it would recommend to the secretary of state that Bryant's driver's license be revoked for an indefinite period. Bryant, the testimony showed, while intoxicated last Saturday night drove an auto on South Riverside Avenue in a reckless manner, causing a head-on crash in which Mrs. William Schultz sustained injuries while riding in a car driven by her husband. Bryant also ran into an auto belonging to Ernest Adams of this city during the same rampage. Bryant, in his own defense, presented a CCC rating card showing that the had recently enjoyed a promotion in the CCC and was a $45 per month man. The court reminded Bryant that he had not fulfilled any of the promises he made when he received a previous lighter sentence, and that his rating with the CCC was no defense for drunken driving. Bryant's driver's license was revoked on the first conviction. William Shann of this city, also charged with drunken driving, was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail and fined $100 and costs. It was Shann's first conviction. He entered a plea of guilty. His driving license was suspended for one year. Shann purportedly drove an auto on East Main Street last Saturday night while intoxicated and crashed into a parked auto. After the accident he was alleged to have fled and before capture engaged in a fist fight. Roy Yoder of Ashland, truck driver, entered a plea of guilty to exceeding the speed limit on the Pacific Highway ten days ago, and was fined $5 and costs. He was given until May 11 to pay. Glen Drake, charged with fishing in Rogue River with more than one line, and Charles R. Rosenberger, charged with fishing without a license, were each fined $25 and costs upon their plea of guilty. Medford Mail Tribune, May 7, 1935, page 1 C. OF C. BANQUET WILL HONOR NEW, OLD CCC CHIEFS
B. E. Harder, president of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce,
announced this morning that the organization will hold a banquet at the
Hotel Medford on Thursday, May 23, at which time it is expected the
attendance will exceed the one recently given Governor Charles H.
Martin. Purpose of the banquet is to honor Major and Mrs. Clare H.
Armstrong, who are shortly to leave Medford, and also to officially
welcome Major and Mrs. George R. Owens, who have recently arrived in
this city. Major Armstrong has been district commander of the Medford CCC district since its inception two years ago, and his transfer to Kansas was learned here with regret. During his stay in Medford he has taken a very prominent part in all civic affairs. Major Owens, who will relieve Major Armstrong, comes to Medford from Fort Worden, Wash. C. J. Buck, district forester of Portland, and members of his staff are expected to attend, as will Supervisor Karl Janouch of the Rogue River National Forest and his staff, Superintendent David H. Canfield of Crater Lake National Forest and his staff, Postmaster Frank DeSouza and his staff, and officers of the national guard. It is also expected that chambers of commerce of the district embraced by the local CCC headquarters will also be well represented. William S. Bolger, who was president of the chamber of commerce when the CCC located here, will act as toastmaster for the occasion, it was announced by Mr. Harder. Tickets for the affair will be available within a few days at the Chamber of Commerce. Medford Mail Tribune, May 8, 1935, page 1 GARDEN CLUB HAS CALL TO FURNISH PLANTS FOR CCC
Medford Garden Club has been furnishing plants for several rural
communities for highway planting, and now comes a call from one of the
CCC camps. Anyone having extra seeds or plants of any kind is asked by
the club to leave anything he may be able to spare at the A.A.A. office
on South Riverside with Mr. Garlock, any time Thursday or early Friday
morning. A CCC truck will pick all plants up there Friday morning.The quilt which the club members have made is on display now in the C. of C. window. It will be awarded Friday evening, May 17, during the state convention meeting. Medford Mail Tribune, May 8, 1935, page 3 DISTRICT HOLIDAY IN ALL CCC CAMPS ORDERED MAY 15
The Medford CCC district will celebrate its second anniversary with a
general holiday Wednesday, May 15. Major Clare H. Armstrong, district
commander, is setting aside that day as "Organization Day" in the
district. Each camp will celebrate the occasion with special dinners
and sports events.Celebration of Second Anniversary Will Be Marked by Special Dinners and Sports Events at Camps The district was opened May 15, 1933, when Major Armstrong arrived here from San Francisco. He was closely followed by Major James R. Bibighaus, who took over the duties of district surgeon. As other officers arrived, a staff was assembled and the first advance detachments of men sent out to start the district's camps. Fourteen camps made up the Medford district for the first period, and Major Armstrong has seen it grow to 28 camps in the last period. The district will temporarily drop to 19 camps next month, but with the assignment of new companies under the enlargement program will go higher than ever during the summer. Major Armstrong will leave here June 2 after commanding the district since its start. Major George R. Owens will assume command with the departure of Major Armstrong. The camps of the district are planning field days, inter-camp baseball games, special dinners and programs, and various other ways of celebrating the occasion. A special anniversary edition of the Medford District News, official publication of the district, is planned. It will feature items of historical interest. Medford Mail Tribune, May 10, 1935, page 1 GENERAL HOLIDAY NEXT WEDNESDAY FOR CCC FORCES
Two years of accomplishment in the Medford CCC district will be
celebrated Wednesday when all companies participate in "organization
day" activities.A general holiday has been declared by Major Clare H. Armstrong to celebrate the district's second anniversary May 15. The holiday is made possible through the cooperation of the forest and park service agencies who have charge of the work projects. All men of the district except those engaged on essential camp duties will be given a one-day holiday. Special field events, inter-camp games, dinners and other activities are being arranged. The Medford district was started May 15, 1933 when Major Armstrong arrived here from San Francisco. He was closely followed by Major James R. Bibighaus, who took over the duties of district surgeon. Second Lieutenant Fred W. Greene, Infantry Reserve, of Medford, was the third officer to report for duty at the district headquarters. Major Armstrong immediately organized his two-man staff and prepared to establish the district. Through the cooperation of the city of Medford, the old city hall building was turned over to the army as headquarters and the headquarters detachment was also housed there. One building at the fairgrounds was also turned over to the army; it is the building now used as the quartermaster office. Within a few days other officers arrived and Major Armstrong's first staff group included Captain Edmund H. Hebert, Inf.-DOL [Department of Labor], as quartermaster; Capt. Harold R. Priest as assistant quartermaster; First Lieut. Lewis T. Ross as executive officer; Second Lieut. Robert T. Fredericks as adjutant and Second Lieut. Greene as assistant quartermaster. Companies began pouring into the district and 15 camps were established for the first period, one of which was moved to the Eugene district north of Medford. The speed with which the army organized its end of the district was duplicated in the park and forest service offices, and together the agencies established an efficient and harmonious district. The first company to arrive here was Co. 926, at Camp Applegate, which after two years is being moved to Camp Jordan Valley in Idaho. Capt. B. B. McMahon, 7th Inf., commanded this company. The other original Medford district and commanders follow: Co. 1747, Elk Creek, commanded by Captain Charles H. Banwell, 3rd Inf. Co. 1647, Camp Ingram, Capt. R. A. Case, 7th Inf. Co. 1922, Pistol River, Capt. James Casey, 7th Inf., relieved early by First Lieut. Robert H. Soule, 7th Inf. Co. 1555, Moon Prairie, Capt. Joseph Church, Inf.-DOL. Co. 1653, Wineglass, Capt. Carlisle B. Cox, 9th Cavalry. Co. 1642, Lake of the Woods, Capt. Guy H. Dosher, FA-DOL. Co. 1645, Camp Bly, Capt. George E. Fingarson, Inf.-DOL. Co. 964, Camp Agness, Capt. Myron J. Rockwell, 10th FA. Co. 1921, Camp Wolf Creek, Capt. Thomas N. Stark, 30th Inf. This camp was shortly transferred to the Eugene district. Co. 1746, Camp Kerby, Capt. Harold E. Stowe, 4th Inf. Co. 1652, Government Camp, Capt. Christopher G. Strawn, Cav.-DOL. Co. 966, Cliff Springs, Capt. William A. Wappenstein, Inf.-DOL. Co. 1651, Upper Rogue, First Lieut. John F. Bird, 18th FA. Co. 1640, Mount Reuben, First Lieut. Frank Dorn, FA-DOL. Headquarters detachment, Second Lieut. John B. Heyburn, 10th FA. Medford Mail Tribune, May 12, 1935, page 1 SOUTH FORK WINNER DISTRICT CCC BANNER
Camp South Fork, near Butte Falls, was awarded the district flag as the
best junior CCC company in the Medford district during the month of
April. Camp Devils Flat, near Azalea, was named the best company
composed of local experienced men.In the junior division, Wimer, Clear Creek and Steamboat received honorable mention. Wimer had won the award last month. In the local experienced men's division, Kerby, Elk Creek and Gasquet received honorable mention. Kerby dropped from first place for the first time in four months. Captain Glen P. Wallace is commander of the winning South Fork camp. Captain John O. Vines is commander of the winning Devils Flat company. Medford Mail Tribune, May 12, 1935, page 4 CAMP HAS INTERESTING HISTORY:
RETURN TO UPPER ROGUE PLANNED
A backward glance at the history of Camp Elk Creek shows that the
company has undergone many changes since its origin, June 7, 1933 at
Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Major N. E. Fiske was the first
commanding officer, assisted by 1st Lt. Dennison.
The original enrollees were thirty-two members transferred from Co. 1733 CCC, together with four enlisted army men. This detachment left Jefferson Barracks June 16, 1933, en route to Medford, Oregon, headquarters for the Medford district, CCC. Upon arrival at Medford they were sent to the camp site chosen on Elk Creek, some twelve miles off the Crater Lake Highway, where a tent camp was established. Here the company was enlarged by enrolling experienced woodsmen, later known as L.E.M.'s, meaning Local Experienced Men. Many changes of officers and men took place during the summer, and by September, 1933, all the eastern juniors had been returned to their homes. About this time work was begun to make Elk Creek a permanent CCC camp. Four fifty-man barracks were started. On October 14th, 1933, Capt. Glen J. Key assumed command of the company, which had by this time become an L.E.M. company. Mr. Fred Warner was the first project superintendent at Camp Elk Creek, serving in that capacity until September 30, 1933 ,when Mr. Jesse De Witt relieved him. December 19, 1933, Mr. Warner was returned to company 1747 as project superintendent, which position he held until January 1935, when he was called to [Rogue?] River National Forest. Mr. Ralph G. Jennings is now project superintendent and is making an enviable record. On April 25, 1934, the company moved to summer quarters at Camp Upper Rogue F-38, Union Creek, Oregon. This camp is the ideal recreational spot of the Rogue River National Forest, being only twenty miles from Crater Lake, a wonder spot of the world. In this camp the men improved the recreational facilities by building trails, improving and providing conveniences for camping. Company 1747 at Upper Rogue made a record that set an example for every camp in the district to shoot at. 100% Forest Service Rating
The District Banner hung from Co. 1747's flagstaff four months at Camp
Upper Rogue, April, May, July and October. The record of fighting
forest fires was unexcelled.October 4, 1934, Capt. Glen J. Key was relieved as Camp Commander and 1st Lt. W. L. Kindred was assigned as Executive Officer. November 1, 1934, the company returned to winter quarters at Elk Creek. June 14, 1934, Mr. Celian Ufford was attached to Co. 1747 as educational advisor, serving until Dec. 1934, when L. A. Moore relieved him. Mr. Ufford transferred to a Calif. Co., CCC. March 31, 1935, Lt. McGuire resigning from the service, Lt. Kindred assumed command and served until April 18th, when Capt. L. N. Despain relieved him. Contract Surgeon H. B. Gillis on July 9, 1934, became 1st Lt. Med. Res. and served with the company until March 1935, when a transfer was made with Camp Applegate, whereby J. B. Gillis, the father of Lt. Gillis, came to Camp Elk Creek as Contract Surgeon. The camp is at present formulating plans to return to Camp Upper Rogue for the summer of 1935. The Conifer Chatterer, Camp Elk Creek, Trail, Oregon, May 12, 1935, page 1 Click here for many more transcriptions from the Trail CCC camp newsletter. CAPT. POTTER OF CCC GOING TO FT. HOUSTON
Captain M. Milton Potter, who has been with the Medford CCC district
headquarters since May 1934, will leave early next month for Fort Sam
Houston, Texas.EARLY COMING MONTH Captain Potter came here from the 10th Field Artillery, Fort Lewis, and will be assigned to the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade at the Texas post. Captain Potter has served here as executive officer and more recently as district welfare officer and inspector. He returned to the states from the Philippines in July, 1931, and was on duty at Fort Lewis until the CCC was started in 1933. Captain Potter was assigned to the Baker, Ore., district and served there as executive officer until the district was closed in the fall. At Fort Sam Houston, Captain Potter will find a post to his liking. The 2nd Field Artillery Brigade is a horse-drawn outfit, that type of artillery being his chief interest. He will also find activity in the ranks of the polo players of the southern posts. Captain and Mrs. Potter plan to leave about June 3 and to take a vacation trip down the coast and into Mexico before proceeding to their new post. Medford Mail Tribune, May 13, 1935, page 5 SPORT PROGRAMS AND FEASTS FOR CCC ON HOLIDAY
Wednesday will be a festive day for the 4600 men of the Medford CCC
district! A general holiday, celebrating the second anniversary of the
district, is to be celebrated, and each of the 23 camps will take
advantage of the one-day vacation with sports, games and special
dinners.Major Clare H. Armstrong, commander of the Medford CCC district, declared May 15 a special holiday. The Park and Forest Service supervisors of the district entered wholeheartedly into the plan, and the men will be relieved from all work projects for the day. The cooks and K.P.'s will not get a holiday, though, for they will be busy with their chicken dinners, barbecues and various other celebration menus. The Medford district was started May 15, 1933, with the arrival here of Major Armstrong. The district had 14 camps during the first period, then dropped to 10, and in the period just closed had 27 camps, in addition to the headquarters detachment. Temporarily, the district has dropped to 23 camps, but at least 33 companies will be in this district during the summer, and perhaps others will be added under the president's enlargement program. The district's second birthday will be celebrated in a number of ways. Evans Creek and Wimer camps are joining in a field day at Wimer. Track and field sports, baseball, volleyball, pinochle, bridge, horseshoes and a number of other games will be enjoyed, and a steer is being barbecued to feed the men of the two companies. At South Fork camp, inter-barracks sports will be featured, including boxing, baseball, horseshoes and track and field events. The South Fork menu is typical of the menus for the 23 companies. It includes chicken noodle soup, fried chicken and gravy, creamed mashed potatoes, lettuce and mayonnaise salad, creamed peas and devils food cake. Refreshments will be served in the evening and the prizes for the day's events will be awarded. An inter-barracks baseball game, boxing, field sports, a chicken dinner, and a dance in the evening with people of neighboring communities invited will be on the China Flats program. Each camp in the district is planning a similar program. The Headquarters Detachment in Medford will enjoy a special dinner at noon and a baseball game in the afternoon. The Park Service, Forest Service and army heads are joining with the chamber of commerce for a special radio broadcast Wednesday noon. Medford Mail Tribune, May 14, 1935, page 2 CCC CAMP CLOSED
EUGENE, May 14.--(Special)--The CCC camp at Oakridge has been abandoned
for the summer, the men having moved out Sunday to Canyon City in the
Malheur National Forest.CCC BOY KILLED AT CAMP RAND
GRANTS PASS, May 15.--(AP)--Richard Nicholas Lessman, 20, member of CCC
Camp Rand west of here, was killed almost instantly when his head
struck a rock as he slipped down a bank. He joined the camp April 24
from Cicero, Ill.Lessman was working with a night road crew and had jumped down the bank to avoid a falling rock. He slipped and went on farther down. The body will be sent to the youth's mother at Cicero. Medford Mail Tribune, May 15, 1935, page 1 WIMER CCC FIREMEN HALT FOREST BLAZE
CAMP WIMER, May 15.--(Spl.)--A forest fire jumped the gun on Camp Wimer
here Tuesday but did not catch Wimer's smoke chasers napping. A
slashing fire on Bill Lyle's place one mile north of Sexton Mountain
caught the wanderlust and made for a heavily wooded section of adjacent
state forest land. When foreman W. A. White arrived at the scene with a
truckload of Wimer men, the fire covered six or seven acres. It took
White and his men three hours to bring it under control.AFTER 3-HOUR FIGHT Warning of the fire came from Siskiyou observers through the Salem office. Due to the fact that the fire season did not open until May 15, the fire might easily have caused considerable damage to state forest timber, but for the alert reporting of the Siskiyou man and the prompt action on the part of Wimer's men. It was the first forest fire of the 1935 season for the Oregon boys who make up this Medford district camp. Many of the boys, new recruits, were receiving their first experience in checkmating Oregon's unwanted but persistent summer visitor. CCC men all over the state are stationed at strategic points for a summer of intensive campaign against fire loss. Like the minute men of colonial history, they will be ready to leave their work at short notice to run down and corner fires as fast as they occur. Wimer will be on guard in an area of hilly land which is heavily wooded with valuable trees. The area comprises four whole townships. Responsibility for stopping fires is rested in Dwight Phipps, district fire warden at Medford. Medford Mail Tribune, May 15, 1935, page 8 HOLIDAY REWARD FOR MEN OF CCC ON ANNIVERSARY
The men of the Medford 3-C district, 4600 strong, were enjoying a full
holiday today, and preparing to start the third year of the Civilian
Conservation Corps in this area.23 Camps of District Enjoy Program Sports, Feasts and Entertainment-- Chief Sends Greetings The holiday, ordered for all camps of the district by Major Clare H. Armstrong, district commander, in cooperation with the Park and Forest Service supervisors, celebrated the second anniversary of the Medford district. Each of the 23 camps in the district were enjoying a day of sports, special dinners, programs and dances. Only the cooks and K.P. were denied a holiday, and they will get their one-day vacations in shifts later. The cooks were busy preparing special dinners that ranged from a barbecued steer at Wimer to fried chicken at most of the camps. Dances will be featured at several camps tonight, with people of the neighboring communities invited. Baseball games were being played on Wednesday afternoon in almost all camps. Track and field events found places on the program of a number. Greetings of the district commander were read to the members of each camp at a special formation today. The message pointed out that the holiday was given as a reward for the services the men have rendered during the past two years: It follows: "To the enrollees of the companies of the Medford district, I send my greetings on this second anniversary holiday. It is due to the loyalty and energy of the men of the companies that this district has won a place as one of the finest in the United States. This one-day vacation is in appreciation of the work you have done. "The district will go forward during the next year to even greater accomplishment, but to you who have helped pioneer the first two years of the Civilian Conservation Corps, we will always owe a debt of gratitude. To each of you I send my greetings and wishes for your future success." The district was started May 15, 1933, when Major Armstrong arrived here from San Francisco. He has been in command since then but will leave June 2 for the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. Major George R. Owens will assume command with Major Armstrong's departure. The district has 23 camps at the present time but 33 will be located here this summer, according to present plans. Medford Mail Tribune, May 15, 1935, page 12 FIRE CREW OF TWELVE CCC MEN DISPATCHED
BIG APPLEGATE, May 16.--(Spl.)--As a spike camp personnel of the South
Fork of the Rogue CCC camp, 12 men were expected to arrive here today
from the South Fork to go on duty at Star ranger station as a temporary
fire crew, supplementing the Applegate spike camp which disbanded for
the new location at Jordan Valley in Harney County. Captain Glenn
Wallace and Dr. Lamb from South Fork were here early this week in
connection with establishment of the spike camp.TO STAR STATION DUTY Camp Applegate was vacated early this week, more than 150 men having been transferred to Camp Jordan Valley. Fifteen accompanied a truck caravan, the remaining recruits having left by train Monday evening. Linden McCullough, educational advisor, is being transferred to another camp in Oregon. Stanley Raimer and Herbert (Slim) Pennings, formerly with the Star spike camp, are remaining here at the ranger station, where they will be employed this summer. It is reported that Camp Applegate will become active again in July when recruits will be transferred here from the Chicago district. Medford Mail Tribune, May 16, 1935, page 5 FAREWELL TO THE MAJOR
It was just two years ago this month that an alert, wide-awake,
pleasant-spoken man stepped breezily into the local chamber of commerce
and announced he had come to make Medford the headquarters of an
extensive CCC camp area.It was just as sudden, brief and businesslike as that! Twenty-four hours later, such headquarters had been established and was functioning--it has been functioning, growing and enlarging ever since--until today, Medford is the center of one of the largest and finest CCC administrative units in the United States. * * * * *
We need hardly enlarge upon what this has meant to Medford and Southern
Oregon. Everyone knows about it. It has by and large been the greatest
boon to this section of the state that has been experienced during the
postwar era. And the outstanding success of that venture, and the
extent of its many benefits, have been chiefly due to the man who made
the first brief announcement--MAJOR C. H. ARMSTRONG--to his unremitting
zeal, his tireless energy, his whole-hearted devotion to his job, and
his interest in and loyalty to Medford and Southern Oregon.* * * * *
From the first somehow Major Armstrong seemed to talk the Medford
language. He has what we are disposed to call the Medford spirit. He
was keen, hustling, up to date, and also a very agreeable and charming
gentleman. Devoted first and last and all the time to the proper
development and welfare of his own organization, he nevertheless was
never too busy nor too concerned with the details of his special task,
not to be keenly concerned also with the development and welfare of
this community.And now--as also everyone knows--the major is about to leave. Medford hates to lose him--but that was to be expected--the U.S. army is always on the move--it's the army theory of all around development and varied experience--it's the army tradition. On Thursday night of this week, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce gives a dinner in honor of Major Armstrong on the eve of his departure--and needless to say the SRO sign should be hung up early and undoubtedly will be. Certainly there is no dining room in the bailiwick large enough to accommodate ALL the people who would LIKE to say goodbye to him, express their appreciation of his services here, and wish him success and good luck in his new field of activity--whatever and wherever it may be! Medford Mail Tribune, May 19, 1935, page 6 CAMP COMMANDERS HOLD CONFERENCE
All camp commanders of the Medford CCC district met here Saturday in
conference with Major Clare H. Armstrong, district commander, and Major
George R. Owens, who will assume command of the district next month.Camp administration, welfare and the educational program for summer were discussed. The Medford CCC district will have 33 camps this summer, an increase of six over the last enrollment period. Medford Mail Tribune, May 19, 1935, page 6 CCC DISTRICT AIDES DETAILED TO IDAHO
Two Medford district officers will leave Sunday for Pocatello, Idaho,
where they will be on duty at the Pocatello district CCC headquarters.They are First Lieutenant Robert S. Bower, who will be detailed as assistant adjutant, and First Lieutenant Edward H. LaSalle, who will serve as motor transport officer. Lieutenant Bower has been on duty at the Medford district headquarters as assistant personnel adjutant, while Lieutenant LaSalle was motor transport officer here for several months and more recently has been on duty at Camp Bradford. Medford Mail Tribune, May 19, 1935, page 7 CCC MAN KILLED, TEN INJURED IN TRUCK SMASHUP
One man was killed, four were seriously injured, six others were
slightly injured, and eleven more escaped miraculously, when a CCC
recreation truck, returning after a community dance to Camp Seiad in
Northern California with 22 men aboard, went over the grade on the
Klamath River highway, late Saturday night, diving 50 feet below before
coming to a stop, a torn piece of wreckage.Machine with 22 Aboard Plunges Down 50-Foot Embankment on Klamath River Road Near Seiad The dead man was Steve P. Madj, son of Mike Madj, 2640 Holly Street, Chicago. The injured were: Henry W. Carlson, Edward Fezderie, Jesse Van Flett and Joseph Jnapik, all of Chicago. The board of officers investigating the accident, which occurred about three miles from Camp Oak Knoll, have not yet reported the exact cause, but it is believed the wheels of the truck locked, throwing it over the bank. It was reported here today that the other men in the recreation truck were not seriously injured, and were treated at the camp hospital. The four more seriously hurt were taken to the Siskiyou County General Hospital at Yreka, where is was expected all would recover. Medford Mail Tribune, May 20, 1935, page 1 CCC WORKER, THROWN FROM TRUCK, KILLED
MEDFORD, May 1.--(Special)--S. P. Madj, 2640 Holly Avenue, Chicago, a
member of the CCC, Medford district, was killed today when thrown from
a recreation truck, returning from Happy Camp, Cal., to Camp Seiad. The
truck wheels locked on the treacherous mountain road on the Klamath
River.Eight other CCC men were injured when the truck plunged down the embankment, according to a report received at headquarters here today. The CCCs were returning from a show and dance at Happy Camp. 15 NEW OFFICERS ARRIVE FOR DUTY IN CCC DISTRICT
Fifteen new officers from the fifth and sixth corps areas arrived in
Medford last weekend for duty in the Medford CCC district. Nine of
these reported here from Fort Sheridan, Illinois, sixth corps area
headquarters. Six came here from the fifth corps areas headquarters at
Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.New officers from the sixth corps area follow: Captain Edwin H. Gates, Inf.-Res., Moline, Ill.; Captain Ralph R. Gobeli, Engr.-Res., Wilmette, Ill.; First Lieut. Walter J. Bubolz, Cav.-Res., Milwaukee, Wisconsin; First Lieut. Louis A. Hoch, F.A.-Res., Detroit, Michigan. Second Lieut. Bruce A. Good, Q.M.-Res., Owendale, Mich.; Second Lieut. Arthur G. Gullikson, F.A.-Res., Iola, Wisconsin; Second Lieut. Earl Harper, Q.M.-Res. Chicago, Ill.; Second Lieut. Clarence W. Huffman, C.W.-Res., Clintonville, Wisconsin; and Second Lieut. James E. Leary, A.G.-Res., Redford, Mich. New officers from the Fifth Corps area follow: Captain Winthrop W. Williams, Bloomington, Indiana; 1st Lieut. Herschel G. Leatherman, Goshen, Indiana; 1st Lieut. Phillip B. Middleton, Culver, Indiana; 1st Lieut. John A. Rosenbaum, Indianapolis, Indiana; Second Lieut. Maurice M. Radcliffe, Bloomington, Indiana, and Second Lieut. Charles A. Raney, Loogootee, Indiana. Medford Mail Tribune, May 20, 1935, page 3 EVANS CREEK CCC NOSES OUT WIMER IN SPORT PROGRAM
CAMP WIMER.--(Spl.)--By winning the afternoon baseball game handily,
Evans Creek nosed out Wimer in the all-day indoor and outdoor sports
meet held between the two camps here Wednesday in celebration of the
second anniversary of Medford district. The final point score was Evans
Creek 85½, Wimer 78½. What is believed here to be a world's record was
made by an unidentified CCC boy who ate five plates full of barbecue at
the noon feast served to the two camps.The boy explained to interviewers that he was willing to compete with any camp in the district in an all-day "meat." The outcome of the day of events was in doubt until the climax of the day, a baseball game, played in the afternoon. Up to that time Wimer's Oscar Newman and Clifford Nelson had put Wimer in the lead 78½ to [omission] and Brownfield at nigger billiards [croquet]. Edwin Cays, 67-year-old Wimer sprinter, might have won the match for Wimer, but there were no competitors in Evans Creek camp willing to face him. He easily led the field in the 50-yard dash for old men run off as an all-Wimer event. Robert Dalzell turned in an excellent game of cribbage for Wimer, defeating Jackson of Evans Creek by a top-heavy score. Superior melding on the part of Driskel and Pecholt gave Evans Creek the victory in pinochle. Wimer proved conclusively that it had more pull than Evans Creek by winning the ten-man tug-of-war. It is estimated that Wimer's ten-man team weighed an even ton. Captain Saunders outdistanced Captain Murray of Evans Creek in the 50-yard dash for commanding officers. The results: Ping pong--Carl Bridges (W) Horseshoes--Walter Bless (W) Shotput and discus--Ebert (EC) [omission] feet, 2 inches; Colton (EC) High jumps--Woodsworth (W) Running broad jump--Sturgill (EC) 19 feet, 2 inches; Ridgeley (EC); Wohler (EC) Standing broad jump--Hardisty (W) 8 feet, 9 inches; Bronzi (W); Ridgeley (EC) 100-yard dash--Sturgill (EC); Bronzi (W); Wohler (EC) Officers' relay--Saunders, Hemstreet and Mace (W) C.O. 50-yard dash--Saunders (W) 50-yard dash for old men--Cays (W) Pinochle--Driskel and Pecholt (EC) Cribbage--Dalzell (W) Nigger billiards--Nelson and Newman (W) Tug-of-war--(W) Volleyball--(EC) Baseball--(EC) Medford Mail Tribune, May 20, 1935, page 7 INTEREST GROWS IN BANQUET FOR LEADERS OF CCC
Considerable interest is in evidence in the banquet to be sponsored by
the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, honoring Major and
Mrs. Clare H. Armstrong and Major and Mrs. Owens, it was announced
today by W. S. Bolger, toastmaster.As an added attraction for the banquet a group of internationally famous singers has been signed up for the event and will supply the musical part of the entertainment. Chief Forester C. J. Buck of Portland has made a reservation as have Tom Jones, supervisor of the Klamath National Forest, Yreka; G. E. Mitchell, supervisor of the Siskiyou National Forest of Grants Pass; Karl Janouch, supervisor of the Rogue River National Forest, Medford; Superintendent David H. Canfield of Crater Lake National Park, and Carl Y. Tengwald, captain of the National Guard. Reservations have also been received from the Roseburg, Grants Pass and Ashland chambers of commerce. "Officers of the CCC and their wives are expected to attend, but the exact number has not been determined," stated Mr. Bolger. In view of the fact that it is desired to let the hotel know how many will attend, as early as possible, reservations should be made immediately at the Jackson County chamber of commerce. Ladies are especially invited. The dinner will commence punctually at 6:30 and will conclude by 8:30, thus giving ample time for those who so desire to attend the CCC fights to be held at the Elks Club at 9:00 o'clock. Medford Mail Tribune, May 20, 1935, page 8 ARMSTRONG GIVEN CCC TESTIMONIAL AT CLUB BANQUET
A handsome myrtlewood scroll, bearing the signatures of every CCC
member in the Medford district, was presented to Major Clare H.
Armstrong, district commander, at the Officers Club dinner Saturday
evening.Senior Foreman Mast, of Camp McKinley, represented the enrolled personnel in making the presentation. A guard of honor, formed by two enrollees of Camp Wimer, accompanied the speaker. The scroll bore a resolution thanking Major Armstrong for the interest he has shown in the welfare of the men of his command during his two years as commander of the district. James Frankland, regional Forest Service engineer of Portland, represented the Forest Service at the dinner. David Canfield, superintendent of Crater Lake National Park, represented the Park Service, Mayor Porter, of Medford, spoke on behalf of the city and Frank Farrell, representative of B. E. Harder, president of the chamber of commerce, spoke for that group. Captain Glen J. Key, vice-president of the Officers Club of the district, served as toastmaster. Captain M. Milton Potter spoke on behalf of the officers. Medford Mail Tribune, May 21, 1935, page 1 CCC BUG BRIGADE OPENS WAR UPON TIMBER BEETLES
War on the devastating mountain pine beetle, which has destroyed
thousands of trees in a stand of lodgepole and white pine covering some
6000 acres along The Dalles-California highway north of Fort Klamath,
was formally declared today by Rogue River National Forest.A "bug brigade" of 40 men from South Fork of the Rogue CCC camp shouldered axes this morning, supervised by a forestry foreman and an army of representatives, and set out for a spike camp high in the tablelands southwest of Crater Lake which will be their headquarters during the campaign. This is the second extensive drive in that region against the beetle, and as the infestation is less this year than last, the Forest Service hopes to clean up the area. Six "spotters" are there now, locating and mapping the infested trees, which will be felled, limbed or peeled according to the extent of the disease, by the squadron of CCC men. With the spike camp located at Sand Creek service station, 20 miles north of Fort Klamath, the men will thoroughly cover the infested area, which lies on both sides of the highway from Sun Pass on the south to the intersection of the park entrance road on the north. Tracing down and exterminating the beetle will require a month of exhaustive work, but the men will not do it all; the sun's heat will be put to use to kill the insect while in the larvae and pupae stage. The CCC men will fell the infested trees, allowing the logs, trimmed of all branches, to lie a week or ten days while the sun beats down upon the thin bark and kills the insect before it has a chance to develop into the beetle stage. Each log will be rolled over and the underside exposed to the same treatment. Infested areas are not numerous. There may be only a few in each acre, but if allowed to stand, the beetles would spread rapidly and eventually get into the valuable national park timber nearby. To prevent this spread is the purpose of the campaign. The beetles bore through the outer layer of bark, then travel along the inner layer, depositing eggs. When these eggs hatch and mature, beetles become so numerous in each tree that the trunk is eventually ringed and the tree dies. Scientists call the beetles Dendroctonus monticolae. Beside preventing great swaths of timber from being killed, the beetle control work aids in roadside cleanup, and many ugly dead trees will be removed from the sides of the Dalles-California highway. The work is under the supervision of Norman J. Penick, administrative assistant for Rogue River National Forest. Laurence Espey is the forestry foreman, and Lieut. Buford E. Boyd is the army representative. As another beetle control project, the Forest Service will cover the strip of land directly east of Crater Lake known as the "panhandle," with a reconnaissance crew this summer and fall to determine the extent of damage in that area, in preparation for the possible future invasion of another "bug brigade." Medford Mail Tribune, May 23, 1935, page 2 DEPARTING CHIEF OF CCC HONORED AT C-C BANQUET
Gratification [sic] of
the civilians and officials of the army, national forests and national
park of Southern Oregon and Northern California for a job well done was
fittingly expressed last night when approximately 200 gathered at the
Hotel Medford to bid farewell to Major Clare H. Armstrong, departing
commander of Medford CCC district, and to welcome Major George R.
Owens, incoming commanding officer.An ovation which lasted several minutes greeted Major Armstrong when he was introduced, in tribute to his two years' work of developing from its inception one of the key districts of the Civilian Conservation Corps, which he will leave the forepart of June to enter the command and general staff school at Fort Leavenworth. Major Owens comes to the Medford district from a 14th coast artillery assignment at Fort Worden, Wash. In a sincere, friendly farewell talk, Major Armstrong said he leaves Oregon feeling rich with the friendships he has acquired through "100 percent cooperation from all sides that has built up a well-founded, thoroughbred organization. "Everyone has been friendly to the CCC," Major Armstrong said. "Wherever I have gone I have been given a smile, a glad hand and an expression of confidence. The district will now be increased to 34 camps, which should be easy. The machinery is there and I know it will work under Major Owens. "For the first 18 months we were all working under a mental and physical pressure; we had to make headway through trial and error, and I hope you will forget the mistakes we made at first. They were all honest mistakes. "I am not going to say goodbye to Oregon. I have sampled all its treasures, tasted all its wonders, and I am going to prize the trophies I take with me. I will certainly come back officially, and when I retire, Oregon is going to see more of me." W. S. Bolger, toastmaster at the banquet, sponsored by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, introduced the speakers. Representing Major George Potter, who was unavoidably detained from the city, City Attorney Frank Farrell said that during the past two years the members of the city council and the mayor have been in close contact with Major Armstrong and hold him in high regard. He wished him and Mrs. Armstrong "happy landings" and to Major Owens he pledged the city's full cooperation. E. H. McDaniels, inspector of associate and state protection of O.&C. lands and state cooperation, of Portland, spoke in behalf of C. J. Buck, regional forester. "When the CCC was conceived it seemed too ingenious to work," McDaniels said. "but we have found the answer in Major Armstrong. We have great confidence that the army has capably filled the vacancy." Albert Burch, director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, paid tribute to Major Armstrong, in a talk on behalf of the civilian. "Major Armstrong came to Medford a stranger," he said, "but almost immediately the people realized he was a friend. He had to handle recruits who came all at once for six months, and it was a tough spot in which to put a man, but from all I have heard he has been responsible for one of the best organizations in the CCC." Mr. Burch presented Major Armstrong with a fine watch in behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, which was accepted with a sincere expression of gratitude. Mrs. Armstrong, whom Mr. Burch also addressed, was presented a beautiful colored photograph of Crater Lake. Major Owens was introduced and welcomed by the audience, whom he in turn addressed with a succinct message: "As a newcomer, I feel more obligated than Major Armstrong, because I have been left with the responsibility of a successful organization, and so--thanks." Among the others introduced was W. C. Harding, secretary of the Roseburg chamber of commerce, who in turn introduced Mayor Charles Clark of Roseburg; J. A. Harding, owner of the Umpqua Hotel; Senator A. C. Marsters, president of the Roseburg National Bank; V. V. Harpham, Umpqua National Forest representative, and the latter's assistant, Robert McClay. Other introductions were: Karl Janouch, supervisor, Rogue River National Forest; Tom Jones, supervisor, Klamath National Forest, Yreka; V. V. Harpham, supervisor, Umpqua National Forest, Roseburg; G. E. Mitchell, supervisor, Siskiyou National Forest, Grants Pass; D. H. Canfield, superintendent, Crater Lake National Park; C. Y. Tengwald, captain National Guard, and Gordon MacCracken, secretary of the Ashland chamber of commerce. Entertainment consisted of several enthusiastically received numbers by the Utica Jubilee Singers, widely known negro quintet. Medford Mail Tribune, May 24, 1935, page 1 23 CCC GRADUATES OF MESS SCHOOL
CAMP WIMER, May 24.--(Spl.)--District welfare officer Captain W. C.
Ryan presented diplomas to 23 graduates of the district mess stewards'
school which completed its course of instruction with exercises here
today. Captain Ryan reminded the graduates that their education in mess
management will really begin with their return to duties in the various
Medford district camps. In putting into practice the knowledge gained
at Wimer, the 23 graduates will fit themselves for similar jobs outside
the CCC.RECEIVE DIPLOMAS AT WIMER Today's graduating class had the distinction of having no failures. It was the first time since the district school was organized that every man taking the course received a diploma. Instructors in the class were Capt. Guy W. Saunders, meats and ration composition; Lt. Andrew J. Hemstreet, Perley system, menus, diet; Dr. L.B. Hanson, sanitation; Duke Guile, mess records; [omission] Rogers, meat cutting; Jack Junne, cooking; Clyde Lyman, baking. The next school for mess stewards will open here Monday, May 27. Every camp in the Medford district will send students. With the opening up of new camps there will be a heavy demand for experienced men in culinary work, and many of today's graduates will receive ratings as mess stewards as soon as they return to their camps. The rating carries with it a substantial increase in pay. Medford Mail Tribune, May 24, 1935, page 5
FOUR KNOCKOUTS SPICE ELKS CARD OF CCC FIGHTERS
Four knockouts and a near-knockout added
spice to a brilliant fight card Thursday evening as a packed house
cheered another of the Elks-CCC boxing series.Ed Slattery, 169, of South Fork, duplicated the feat of his running mate, Lezar, when he knocked out J. E. Wallis, 175, of Gasquet in a spectacular main event. Lezar, another South Forker, had kayoed DeShields of Oak Knoll, in the main event on the last Elks card. Mickey O'Brien, 160, of Oak Knoll, hammered his way to a second-round knockout over Chester Sczepanski, 161, Oregon Caves, in a spectacular semi-final. This battle was a whirlwind affair, with Sczepanski going down twice in the first round, but flooring O'Brien once and knocking him clear through the ropes. With a little conditioning, Sczepanski may prove one of the most popular boys in the district, while O'Brien is already being figured for a match on the June 14 picnic card. George Morris, 139, Elk Creek, came close to a knockout over John Kezerle, 135, Rand, when he put Kezerle down for a count of nine in the final round. The game Rand youngster, who suffered from lack of condition, came back in and gave battle until the gong, but the decision in favor of Morris was not disputed. Doug Glaspey, 145, Elk Creek, had little difficulty decisioning Joe Winters, 142, South Fork, although Winters put up a steady fight. Oats Ziady, 148, Oak Knoll, knocked out Mike Galioto, 147, Oregon Caves, in another interesting bout. Harry Asher, 134, Rand, went down under a barrage of blows at the hands of Harvey Snyder, 130, Evans Creek, and Snyder won by a knockout in the first. Ted Petropolos, 131, China Flats, and Jess Savickey, 130, South Fork, provided one of the most thrilling fights ever seen in the Elks ring. Hammering each other from the opening gong, they kept the crowd in an uproar until the final bell, Savickey winning the decision with a slight edge over his scrappy rival. Shorty McVey, 118, Evans Creek, and Steve Granzyk, 123, China Flats, provided an exciting curtain raiser, Granzyk winning the nod. Jack Moran, famous heavyweight fighter of a few years ago, refereed the bouts and pronounced them among the best he has seen. He gave a short talk from the ring, described his fight with Jack Dempsey, and urged full support of the CCC cards. The card was staged as a benefit for Viv Beach of Jacksonville, who was seriously injured in a recent automobile accident. DeShields, of Oak Knoll, had been booked for a bout on the card but a side injury prevented his appearance this week. Medford Mail Tribune, May 24, 1935, page 14
15 OFFICERS FROM EAST NOW ATTEND WIMER CCC CLASS
CAMP WIMER, May 25.--With the
addition of 15 officers temporarily attached for instruction in CCC
Medford district practice, Wimer is taking on the appearance of an
officers training school. The regular staff of officers for the camp
include five men. Classes held daily are used to acquaint the new
officers with records, property distribution, organization and such
other problems of administration as they will later meet when they are
given permanent billets.Only one of the new men, Captain W. S. Akers, is from ninth corps area. The rest are from the second, fifth and sixth corps areas in the Midwest and eastern part of the United States. They are Captains W. W. Williams, R. R. Gobeli, and E. H. Gates; 1st Lieutenants H. G. Leatherman, P. B. Middleton, W. J. Buboltz and L. A. Hoch; 2nd Lieutenants C. A. Raney, J. E. Leary, C. Huffman, E. Harper, A. G. Gullikson, B. A. Good and R. S. Wolfsohn. Owing to the expansion of the CCC organization, a large number of new men have been called into service as officers. Many of them are unacquainted with CCC work. Hence it is necessary to give them a short, thorough course of training before sending them out to take charge of the new camps. Medford Mail Tribune, May 26, 1935, page 4
23 CCC OFFICERS NOW IN SCHOOL AT WIMER
CAMP WIMER, May
29.--(Spl.)--The Camp Wimer school for CCC officers
now has an enrollment of 23 with the addition Sunday of eight new
officers from Fort Jay, second corps area. The new officers are 1st
Lieutenants C. W. Kenyon and R. C. Lang, and 2nd Lieutenants J. H. Tate,
A. H. Wilson, J. M. Wiley, Jr., R. B. Standel, W. C. Wine and N. Zeldin.
After a short period of intensive training in Medford district CCC
practice, these officers will be assigned to duty in Medford area camps.Medford Mail Tribune, May 29, 1935, page 8
CCC BASEBALLERS OF OREGON CAVES WIN FROM G. PASS
Word was received this afternoon of what
must have been a big upset in baseball circles over Grants Pass way,
for it was reported at national park headquarters here that the Oregon
Caves CCC baseball team defeated the Grants Pass Merchants 16 to 12 in
a Memorial Day game at the Climate City.Al Hogan, big Oregon Caves moundman who hurled a bang-up game, according to reports, came through also with a home run in the fourth, when the score was 7 to 12 in favor of the Grants Pass team, that brought in four runs all told and started the batting spree that enabled the CCC men to come out on the long end of the score. Grants Pass gathered 11 hits, and Oregon Caves, 15. A smoker was held at Oregon Caves Wednesday night with the following results: Bill Sczepanski decisioned Joe Papciak in the 175-pound class in the final bout; Red Rush knocked out Frank Calliotto in the 145-pound class semi-final; Max Gordon decisioned Ed Boro in the 155-pound class; Robert Jurtsen decisioned Joseph Luchesi in the 135-pound class; Leo Rusetos decisioned Tony Liguori in their 125-pound class bout; Nat Lombardo decisioned Walt Scollie in the 116-pound opener. In a preliminary wrestling match, Duke Hollihan and Terrible Johnson went to a draw. The boxing matches were all for three two-minute rounds. Medford Mail Tribune, May 31, 1935, page 4
BLANCHARD LECTURES CCC ON NIPPON TOUR
CAMP
WIMER.--(Spl.)--Wimer CCC boys have a better
understanding of the Japanese as human beings as a result of a lecture
with slides delivered in this Medford district camp by O. S. Blanchard,
Grants Pass lawyer. The slides, made from pictures taken by Blanchard
in Japan, showed a cross-section of Japanese life, country and city.Blanchard took the pictures for the lecture during a goodwill tour of oriental countries organized in 1929 by the San Francisco chamber of commerce. Medford Mail Tribune, May 31, 1935, page B8
OLD TIME MINSTREL ENTERTAINS CCC BOYS
CAMP WIMER, June
1.--(Spl.)--Old -time minstrel R. J. Wright of Grants
Pass tickled the ivories at this Medford district camp Friday night and
sang again some of the songs he sang to Keith's houses on the
Atlantic Coast and to Orpheum and Pantages houses on this coast during
25 years of trouping.Wright's informal entertainment in the recreational hall at the semi-monthly smoker was received by the Wimer boys with tumultuous applause. At the end of the evening, he had the whole camp singing the old songs everybody knows. Medford Mail Tribune, June 2, 1935, page 6
DISTRICT COMMANDER CAMP WIMER VISITOR
CAMP WIMER, June
1.--(Spl.)--Major G. R. Owens, Medford district
commander and Captain H. O. Lane, ninth corps inspector, visited Camp
Wimer here Saturday, accompanied by Dr. D. E. Wiedman, district
educational coordinator. Captain Lane was highly pleased by the
arrangements here. The visit was the first made to Wimer by Major Owens
in his official capacity as commander of the district.Medford Mail Tribune, June 2, 1935, page 6
NO RELIEF WORK ON PROGRAM OF FOREST SERVICE
Telegraphic information has been
received by the Rogue River National Forest to the effect that the
relief program for the Forest Service planned under the so-called four-billion-dollar act is canceled.This means that as far as the Forest Service is concerned, they will not be able to contribute toward relief work in the states of Oregon and Washington. As regards relief work for other states, no information is available at the local office. Cancellation of the relief work does not affect the CCC camps. The Rogue River National Forest will have four camps for the summer, which is one more than last year, if present plans are carried out. Considerable information has been given out as regards the possibility of the expanded program on the Rogue River National Forest this summer. This information was based on instructions from the Washington office to prepare for an enlarged program of work. Much of the work planned under the relief program will be transferred to CCC camps, and the whole program will eventually be carried out during the course the next few years. The preparation program, therefore, is not wasted, local Forest Service officials say. Medford Mail Tribune, June 4, 1935, page 3
ROBERT R. BOGGS OF CCC TAKEN BY DEATH
Robert R. Boggs, 16, employed in the
Medford CCC district, passed away in a local hospital where he was
brought when taken seriously ill in camp Saturday.His parents arrived before the youth died. His body was forwarded by Conger Funeral Parlors to Compton, Cal., yesterday. Medford Mail Tribune, June 5, 1935, page 2 HEAVY EXPANSION OF CCC DISTRICT TO BEGIN JUNE 20
New CCC companies will begin arriving in the Medford district June 20,
and in the six weeks to follow the district will be brought to an
expanded strength of 33 companies and 6600 men.Many New Camps to Be Built--Old Camps Reoccupied-- New Company for Work Roxy Ann Park Many new camps will be built and a number of old camps will be reoccupied under the program, which is to double the strength of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The assignment of numbers to the new companies has been completed. Each company now in the Medford district has been training a staff of clerks, cooks, stewards and foremen to provide the framework for a new organization when a new company is formed. The complete list of Medford district camps under the expanded program was announced today by Major George R. Owens, district commander. A new company, No. 2626, will occupy Camp Prescott (Roxy Ann) near Medford. Co. 2627, also a new company, will occupy Camp Bonanza, at Bonanza, Oregon, near Klamath Falls. Co. 2631, a new company, will occupy Camp Klamath, at Merrill, near Klamath Falls. Another new company, No. 2628, will occupy another camp near Klamath Falls, as yet unnamed. Co. 759, now at Camp Sitkum, will be sent back to Nebraska and will be replaced by a new company, 4244. Co. 922 will remain at Camp Oak Knoll on the Klamath River. Co. 964 will remain at Camp Dog Lake, near Lakeview, and Co. 979 will remain at Camp Bradford, at Camas Valley. Other Medford district companies to remain unchanged are Co. 1622 at Camp Coos Head near Marshfield, Co. 1627 at Camp China Flats near Coquille, Co. 1642 at Camp South Fork, near Butte Falls, Co. 1649 at Camp McKinley, near Coquille, Co. 1650 at Camp Rand, near Grants Pass, Co. 1910 at Camp Indian Creek, near Happy Camp, and Co. 1982 at Camp Gasquet, near Crescent City. Co. 1634, now at Camp Oregon Caves, will move to the old camp site at Camp Annie Springs, Crater Lake. Co. 1989, now at Camp Yreka, will move to a new site at Camp Lava Beds, near Merrill, Oregon. Co. 1990, now at Camp Evans Creek, will move to a new camp at Diamond Lake, and the present Evans Creek site will be occupied by a new company, No. 4239. Co. 1992, at Camp Kerby, is already moving to the old camp site at Agness on the Rogue River, above Gold Beach. Co. 1993, now at Camp Elk Creek, will move back to its old Upper Rogue camp at Union Creek and a new company, 4241, will move into Camp Elk Creek. A new company, No. 2511, will occupy the old site at Camp Clear Creek on the Klamath River, and another new company, No. 2512, will occupy the old site at Camp Seiad. Co. 602, old Seiad company, is now moving to the Fort George Wright district. A new company, No. 2513, will occupy a new site at Clear Lake, near Merrill, Oregon, and another new company, No. 2514, will occupy a new camp at Tule Lake, near Merrill. The old camp at Steamboat, near Roseburg, will be occupied by a new company, No. 4240. The old Applegate camp, near Ruch, will be occupied by a new company, No. 4242. A camp is to be built at Silver Lake, near Bend, and will be occupied by a new company, No. 2629. Co. 4243, a new company, will occupy the old Sebastian camp at Gold Beach. Co. 2904, now at Devil's Flat, will move to a new camp now being built at South Umpqua Falls, near Tiller. The Devil's Flat camp will not be reoccupied this summer. Co. 2630, another new company, will occupy a new site at Bly, near Klamath Falls. Medford Mail Tribune, June 6, 1935, page 1 MEDFORD DISTRICT CCC PAPER BEST
The Medford District News, monthly newspaper published at the CCC headquarters here, has been named as the best district newspaper in the United States.The award was announced today by "Happy Days," national CCC newspaper, which conducted the contest. Competition was divided between printed and mimeographed papers, Medford winning in the senior division. Award for the best mimeographed district paper went to the Armfor News of the Boise, Idaho district. The Fresno Conservator, of the Fresno, Cal., district, was awarded second place in the printed newspaper class. The Review, of the 18th district of the sixth corps area in the Middle West, was third and the Fort McArthur News fourth. Lieut. Roy D. Craft of the district headquarters staff is editor of the prize-winning Medford District News, which has been published for the past eight months. Medford Mail Tribune, June 6, 1935, page 1 WIMER FIRE TRAIL MAKING SPEEDED BY NEW MACHINE
CAMP WIMER, June 6.--(Spl.)--Work progress on the Wimer fire patrol
communication system leaped forward here this week with the arrival of
a new 55-horsepower bulldozer sent out by J. J. Russell to speed up
road work. There are now three bulldozers at work on truck trails
connecting Battle Mountain, King Mountain and Sexton Mountain lookout
stations. By running two and three shifts to the machine, Wimer's
technical department is getting about 240 machine hours a week of
gouging at the rocky hillsides in the Gold Creek district. Russell will
add a compressor to the machinery in a short time and jackhammers will
take the place of hand drills now being used.In military terms, the Wimer campaign might be said to be three simultaneous advances toward distinct objectives, with the strategic object of cutting three broad trunk lines into the heavily wooded hills. When these three objectives are reached, probably before the fall rains, northern Jackson County's forest fire enemy will be at bay. Loops and side roads connecting the main arteries will then be built to permanently muzzle Oregon's ancient foe in this section. Caterpillar No. 1 is moving up Ditch Creek toward King Mountain under the direction of P. D. Coy, with about 11 miles of road yet to build. No. 2 under Ray McCoy is advancing toward Battle Mountain summit with about three and one-half miles yet to go. The third caterpillar is cutting road up Jack Creek about four miles below the Daisy mine. The Jack Creek road will ultimately connect with the King Mountain road. Bill White has completed temporary telephone lines connecting the three lookout stations. His work in telephone construction from now on will be the occasional moving of old lines to parallel the new roads as they are completed. Two permanent crews will be organized from Wimer members before the first of July to hold themselves in readiness to fight 1935 summer fires. Sixteen men will be attached to Dwight Phipps' Medford state patrol headquarters, and eight more under Warden Merit will stand by for service as smoke chasers in the Jack Creek side camp. Replacements to bring Capt. Guy W. Saunders' company to full strength are expected by the end of June. Medford Mail Tribune, June 6, 1935, page 2 CALIFORNIANS ARE GUESTS
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Hulbert and their three children, of Berkeley,
California, are guests this week of Mr. and Mrs. Web Clark at their
beautiful summer home in Shady Cove park near Trail. The visitors will
enjoy trips to Crater Lake and the Oregon Caves before continuing their
trip northward to Portland. The return trip of the Hulberts will be
made through this city.AT CLARK'S SHADY COVE CABIN Leslie Hulbert, well known in the bay district as a cartoonist and commercial artist, is also advertising manager for S. H. Kress and Company's Oakland office. Mrs. Clark was associated with the Kress organization in Oakland before coming to Southern Oregon and became acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Hulbert at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Hulbert are enthusiastic in their praise of the Southern Oregon country after their enjoyable stay here. Medford Mail Tribune, June 7, 1935, page 9 BIG AUTO CONVOY COMING FOR CCC
Announcement from the motor transport division of the Medford CCC
district headquarters of the impending delivery of a large number of
motor vehicles for this district was made yesterday. The convoy of new
machines will be delivered overland from the Presidio in San Francisco,
either manned by army or CCC drivers, and should arrive sometime during
the week. A radio message from the local headquarters Friday requested
speedy delivery, it was learned.The machines, including 30 Chevrolet ton-and-a-half trucks, three Plymouth sedans and three Chevrolet ambulances, are intended to equip the new companies moving into this district in the near future. Of the new trucks, half will be stationed at the fairgrounds here, and half will be allotted to the various camps. All three of the Plymouths will be stationed here, and the three ambulances will be on duty at the fairgrounds. The new additions to the motor unit brings the total number of trucks in the district to 69, with eight ambulances, eight sedans and one wrecker. The wrecker is also stationed at the fairgrounds. Medford Mail Tribune, June 9, 1935, page 5 15 NEW CCC COMPANIES DUE IN
MEDFORD AREA
MEDFORD, June 8 (Special)--Fifteen new CCC companies will begin
arriving here June 20, to increase the number of camps in the Medford
district to 33 in the six weeks to follow, according to Major George R.
Owens, district commander.When all camps are filled there will be 6600 men in the Medford CCC district, Owens said. Oregonian, Portland, June 9, 1935, page 21 39 CCC GRADUATE AT COOKS, BAKERS SCHOOL AT WIMER
CAMP WIMER, June 10.--(Spl.)--The fourth session of the Medford
district CCC cooks' and bakers' school ended here Friday with
graduation of 39 men. Frank Applegate, 16 Park Place, was the only
Medford boy to receive a diploma from Captain W. C. Ryan, district
welfare officer, who made the commencement address. Applegate is a
first cook.Since the organization of the district schools at Wimer January 7, 1935, 120 boys have been graduated from the cooks' and bakers' school, and 50 from the mess stewards' school. The clerks' school at Medford headquarters has graduated 82. As rapidly as classes are graduated, new classes are organized so that instruction is practically continuous. Since the heavy demand for trained men created by the expansion of the CCC, the district schools have proved invaluable. Men enrolled in the schools are given four weeks of intensive training in their trades with daily classes and laboratory work. Upon graduation, they are returned to their camps where they can put theory into practice. By the time they have practiced their trades for an enrollment period, those who have aptitude are ready to take good jobs outside the CCC. The schools thus do much to carry out the fundamental idea behind the organization of the CCC, which is to facilitate the absorption in industry of the boys who belong to this economically handicapped generation. The fame of the district schools has spread so that letters have recently been received from members in other districts requesting permission to take the period of training here. Medford was first to institute schools of this type. The faculty of Wimer's schools include Captain Guy W. Saunders, Lieut. Andrew J. Hemstreet and Dr. L. B. Hanson, assisted by the Wimer kitchen staff. Medford Mail Tribune, June 10, 1935, page 3 VISUAL INSTRUCTION ASSURED FOR CCC
CAMP WIMER--(Spl.)--Visual instruction for all CCC boys in Medford
district camps is assured for the summer period according to word
received here from district coordinator D. E. Wiedman, who has arranged
to make Medford headquarters a clearing house for the exchange of
educational films between companies and all available sources of supply.IN NEW MOVIE PROGRAM Dr. Wiedman, who has been gradually building up the number of educational films available at headquarters for distribution to camps, recently received permission to place 25 sets of forestry films at the disposal of Medford camps. He now has enough films on hand to permit each camp to show four reels once a week. Other film sources tapped include the Bureau of Mines and Oregon State College. Progressive Medford district provided for weekly movies in every camp as early as December, 1934, but most of the pictures shown so far have been purely recreational. Dr. Wiedman's dream of following the path blazed by President Maynard Hutchins, when that youthful educator instituted visual instruction at Chicago University, is just now materialized. The district has been divided into zones for the efficient interchange of films so that everybody assigned to a Medford camp will see some phase of the drama of American industry displayed on the silver screen once a week. Medford Mail Tribune, June 11, 1935, page 8 CCC HONORS GIVEN IN MEEK FUNERAL
Louis Meek,
CCC member of Camp Wimer, who drowned Friday afternoon in Forest Creek
while on leave, was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery with full CCC
honors. Reverend Baird of Medford conducted the services at Conger
Funeral Parlors Sunday afternoon.Captain Guy W. Saunders and staff with many of Meek's camp comrades attended the funeral. The bugle corps in full regalia blew taps over the grave of the dead boy. CCC pall bearers were Messrs. Davis, Philip, Wisdom, Helferstine, Bement and Rogers. Medford Mail Tribune, June 12, 1935, page 8 DETAIL CCC MEN ROXY ANN DUTY
Medford's dream of park development at the Prescott Memorial Park on
Roxy Ann became reality today when 1st. Lieut. Richard C. Lang,
Inf.-Res., and an advance cadre of 20 men were sent to the camp site 3
miles east of Medford to begin work on the camp.The men were detailed here from Camp Wimer and will form the nucleus of the new company to be stationed there. The company will be engaged in park development work during the coming months. Medford Mail Tribune, June 14, 1935, page 1 BARTLAM SPEAKER WIMER CCC CAMP
CAMP WIMER.--(Spl.)--Father E. S. Bartlam, rector of Medford's St.
Mark's Episcopal church, talked to Wimer CCC boys here Tuesday evening
on "The Way to a Harmonious and Effective Life." Father Bartlam,
English by birth has been on the Pacific Coast for 33 years. A man of
varied experience, he learned human nature first hand as cowboy and
roustabout, before his ordination as a clergyman.Medford Mail Tribune, June 14, 1935, page 4 CARL JOHNSON LEAVES FOR CCC ASSIGNMENT
Carl Johnson, secretary of the Medford Active Club, has tendered his
resignation from that position, and left yesterday to accept a position
as officer in a CCC regiment at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Johnson holds
a reserve officer's rank and intends to hold the CCC position for the
summer, returning here in time for the fishing in September.Although Major C. H. Armstrong, formerly head of the Civilian Conservation Corps here, will also be in Ft. Leavenworth, Johnson does not yet know whether he will be under the popular major's command. Medford Mail Tribune, June 17, 1935, page 8 PREPARE FOR CCC MEN ON ROXY ANN
A group of 30 men are busy at the site of the proposed Roxy Ann CCC
camp, preparing for the erection of the new buildings. The men are from
Camp Wimer, and are merely doing preliminary work. Trucks and men have
been busy for the last four days hauling lumber to the site, and
construction has already begun.The carpenters have not yet started their work, but it is assumed that they will be on the job in the near future. When the camp is completed it will be manned with new recruits, taken in upon the expansion of the Civilian Conservation Corps, built around a nucleus of a cadre of men from Camp Coos Head. According to the CCC headquarters here, each new camp will have its own group of seasoned men from the other camps in order to facilitate organization. Medford Mail Tribune, June 18, 1935, page 8 MOTOR FLEET OF CCC TO BE BROUGHT HERE
Captain Glenn J. Key, motor transport officer, and 36 men were sent to
San Francisco Tuesday to bring back a fleet of motor vehicles for the
Medford CCC district. The party will leave San Francisco Thursday,
stopping overnight at Redding.FROM SAN FRANCISCO Thirty trucks, three sedans and three ambulances were to be driven to Medford for use in the enlarged district. The men making the trip follow: Camp South Fork: George Brabec, Gene E. Hornsby, Cliff A. Milling, Rudolph A. Leszor, David O. Hardin, Alvin O. Young, Horace V. Thompson, William L. Wirtz, Earl W. Nessell, George Leiskey, Martin F. Mittlesteadt and George T. McGovern. Camp Evans Creek: Claude W. Murray, George Robinson, Roy E. Ellis, James Doughtery, George H. Beuerman and Robert L. Jenkins. Camp Elk Creek: Douglas Glaspey, William Silva, Leo J. Turriciano, Francisco I. Turriciano and Carl H. Beckman. Camp Wimer: Gordon Mallory. Headquarters Detachment: Frank J. Robinson, Frederick D. Adams, William Baidel, Wesley H. Bonebrake, Michael J. Chizmark, Harry E. Harding, Glen W. Husted, Gale T. Blundell, Patrick R. Moran, Richard E. Vincent, Roy Welter, Ben Yogela, Bernard A. Shaw and Charles Hamm. Medford Mail Tribune, June 19, 1935, page 3 REPAIR, ENLARGE JACKSON CO. FARM
Repairs to the county poor farm near Talent with SERA labor have been
started by the county court, to provide more space for care of the
indigent sick, provide women's quarters, remove fire hazards and
improve sanitation. The cost to the county will approximate $2000. The
improvements are expected to reduce hospitalization costs, now one of
the major items of county relief expenditures.Room for 12 more patients will be provided by the change, also space for women patients. Excavations will be made to enlarge the basement. County Judge Earl B. Day said the improvements were decided upon after an inspection of upstate poor farms by the county court. Medford Mail Tribune, June 20, 1935, page 2 TRANSFER CCC MEN TO REDDING CAMPS
Forty-one CCC men from the Medford district were transferred this week
to camps in the Redding district. All were "local experienced" men from
California, and the transfer was necessitated by the rearrangement of
companies for the summer.Lieut. Harry May, Jr., commanded the train detachment. The men transferred included ten from Camp Yreka to Camp Juniper Flat Spring, Calif., eleven men from Camp Gasquet to Camp Digger Butte, Calif., ten from Gasquet to Camp Big Springs, Calif., and ten from Gasquet to Camp Salt Creek, Calif. Medford Mail Tribune, June 20, 1935, page 10 WAR ON BEETLES SHOWING RESULTS IN ROGUE FOREST
Infestation of the mountain pine beetle in the timber stands along The
Dalles-California highway southeast of Crater Lake, where the insect
has wrought havoc during the past several years, has decreased rapidly,
officials of Rogue River National Forest announced late yesterday as
the first plans in this year's campaign--that of locating the infested
trees--came to a close.For the past several weeks CCC crews, working under the direction of Laurence V. Espey, ECW foreman, supervised by Norman J. Penick, administrative assistant for Rogue River National Forest, have been at work in a spike camp, spotting, felling and limbing the stricken trees. Next step in wiping out the beetle will depend largely upon the weather, for each log is allowed to lie in the sun with each side exposed in turn, until the bugs are killed by the heat while still at work under the thin bark. If the weather is hot, the Forest Service expects to complete the project by June 30. Statistics released today reveal that in 1934 infected trees in this area totaled 5965, while a census taken this year reveals that only 1442 trees have been attacked by the beetle. With a total this year of 6200 acres, the acreage of infestation shows a decrease of 76 percent. Officials stated this unusually large decrease is due to the extensive felling of infested trees in a similar campaign last year, which allowed the hot sunshine which prevailed to effectively cure large areas. Foreman Espey reports that the rate of tree curing has been increased from a low of three trees per man per day to eight trees per man per day as the CCC men, all of whom are new recruits from Chicago, have become better trained in the work. Espey stated he has instilled a sense of rivalry among the crews that promote results. Majority of the men have been in camp since April, Espey reports, and, despite their ignorance of the woods at first, they have rapidly learned woodcraft and talk in the vernacular of old-time bug hunters. To them a compass is no longer a box with a little swinging needle, trees are felled instead of undermined, and sections, section corners and quarter corners mark certain areas in the timber that are no longer referred to as so many blocks this way or so many blocks that. Besides the active "bug brigade," a check cruise is being made in the old infestation along the park boundary, revealing that in places where there were at one time as many as two infested trees per acre, there are now only 40 infested trees on 2000 acres. Medford Mail Tribune, June 25, 1935, page 2 CCC TRAINS MEN FOR MANY TASKS IN OUTSIDE LIFE
CAMP WIMER.--(Spl.)--That the CCC is providing a springboard from which
boys can take off into jobs outside the organization is being amply
proved in this Medford district camp where releases for employment
outside the CCC have almost kept pace with enrollments so far this
month. Ten men have been released to take jobs; fifteen men have been
received as replacements. Letters received by members show that almost
all of the 84 men discharged at the end of the last enrollment period
have been reabsorbed into industry.Work at Wimer Camp Cited As Example of Wide Variety-- Trucksters to Typists Gaining Training Many of the men released have found work in sawmills in Southern Oregon. Truck drivers, cooks, cat drivers, clerks and timber men have found jobs. Some have received preliminary training for jobs here; others have supplemented previous experience with additional training among the tree troupers. The Wimer project, 75 miles of truck trails and telephone lines, provides a wide variety of work activity. In this camp alone, eleven truck drivers are used; six member caterpillar operators are used to provide shifts to operate the three cat bulldozers; blacksmith helpers, mechanics, welders and the like are used in the making of culverts and in sloping; jackhammer men are employed in operating a compressor to remove rock bluffs in the right-of-way; powder men are used in blowing up stumps and rocks; timber men are used to fell trees and trim them; chainmen are used as assistants to the surveyor; linemen are used in telephone construction; firefighters are used in forest fire control; and carpenters are used in rough construction work. In addition to the training given on regular work projects, the CCC at Wimer also trains first aid men who are employed in the hospital; cooks and bakers in the kitchen; typists and stenographers in clerical work; material men in the tool and supply depots; interior decorators in the dressing up of the buildings; and men in many other minor lines of gainful employment. Young men employed in CCC work have the advantage of working under skilled technical men who, besides getting work done, take a personal interest in their employees, taking time to instruct beginners in the most effective use of tools and in the whys and wherefores of work methods. This species of job instruction is making the organization a vast laboratory of the use of young men who will be the skilled workers of tomorrow. Medford Mail Tribune, June 26, 1935, page 3 CCC PRAISED FOR CITIZENSHIP AIDS
WASHINGTON, (UP)--Voluntary educational and forest improvement
activities of the Civilian Conservation Corps have been described by
Charles Lathrop Pack, president of the American Tree Association, as
"the greatest citizenship making program the world has ever seen."Pack said doubling of the CCC meant that thousands of additional young Americans would participate in the program. "The remarkable feature of the citizenship making coupled with forest improvement," he said, "is the fact that more than half of the enrollees are voluntarily attending classes of one kind or another. "What the are learning in the woods, and there is no finer place to learn, is being added to by ‘book l'arnin',' as we used to say, in the night schools at the camps. The big point is that this educational activity is all voluntary on the part of the boys." Pack said a survey showed that 43 percent of the subjects studied were vocational. Of the balance, 18 percent were of elementary level, 32 percent of high school level, 5 percent of college level, and 2 percent general. Medford Mail Tribune, June 28, 1935, page 15 CCC TRUCK HITS GOLD HILL SPAN, REPORT 3 HURT
A Civilian Conservation Corps truck, traveling south en route from Camp
Oregon Caves to Medford, driven by S. Zabelski, Camp Oregon Caves, last
night hit the guard rail at the Gold Hill highway bridge, breaking out
the cement railing, and failing by inches from dropping the 40 feet
into the water below. It was reported to state police, who investigated
the accident, that at least three of the six occupants of the truck
were injured, and were taken to a hospital.A checkup at local hospitals revealed that they had not been brought to this city, and it was believed the injured were taken to Grants Pass for treatment. The truck was damaged considerably. Medford Mail Tribune, June 30, 1935, page 1 WIMER CAMP LIFE SHOWN IN FILMS
CAMP WIMER.--(Spl.)--Movies of Wimer camp life were shown by Captain
Guy W. Saunders at the semi-monthly smoker last week. The pictures were
taken by Captain Saunders of morning and evening formations, barracks
life and recreation.The movies were the climax of an evening of entertainment which included a supper of fried chicken and all the fixtures with apple pie and ice cream to top it off. Music and song by members, card tricks, recitations and a stream of badinage from master of ceremonies Joe Winkler filled out the evening. It is planned to give a smoker to Wimer members one week and a dance in the Wimer grange hall the next throughout the summer. There will be an all-day picnic with swimming events early in July for Wimer. Medford Mail Tribune, July 2, 1935, page 10 CCC FIRE CAMP WILL BE ASHLAND FEATURE
ASHLAND, July 3.--(Spl.)--First Lt. W. J. Buboltz and Educational
Adviser W. W. Belcher of Co. 1650, CCC, at Camp Rand, 25 miles below
Grants Pass, were Ashland visitors Tuesday, making arrangements for 50
of the Illinois boys of the camp to conduct a fire camp here over the
Fourth of July.The boys will camp in the upper end of Lithia Park, setting up a field range and tables, and in other ways organizing the party as though on an actual fire fighting trip. Medford Mail Tribune, July 3, 1935, page 7 MEDFORD BOYS EAGER FOR CMTC VACATION;
VANCOUVER, Wash., July 5.--(AP)--A month's "vacation" at the
government's expense seems to have little attraction for youthful
Americans of Oregon and Washington.REST OF OREGON SHY With the citizen's military training camp scheduled to open a four-weeks' course Friday, officers said today only 508 applications had been received. They estimated that the number of eligibles possible to choose from this number will be far short of this year's quota of 480. Last year's quota was only 236. Multnomah County, it was declared, has produced but 191 applicants. Its quota is 252. Any youth from the age of 17 to 24 may apply. Expenses of traveling to and from the camp are paid by the government. Completion of a four-year course at the C.M.T.C. qualifies outstanding students for commissions in the organized reserve corps. ----
Captain Carl Y. Tengwald of the National Guard here stated this
afternoon that the quota for Jackson County was 10 men. Twelve
applications were submitted, and one applicant was rejected for
physical defects. That gives this district a percentage of over 100.The captain said that if the quota from this district is raised, it will be an easy matter to get more applicants, but that the move would have to be made soon, since each man attending the camp must receive three vaccine shots before leaving. Medford Mail Tribune, July 5, 1935, page 16 CCC LIFE SAVING SCHOOL PLANNED FOR JULY 23-27
Ninety CCC members, representing 27 Oregon camps in the Vancouver
Barracks, Wash. district, and 18 camps in the Medford district will
attend a six-day life saving and water first aid school to be held in
Medford July 22 to 27.Plans for the school were announced today by Major George R. Owens, commander of the Medford district. The school will be one of a series being planned in the Ninth Corps area under one of the largest life-saving programs ever inaugurated on the coast. The Twin Plunges, Ashland's beautiful and modern swimming resort, has been chosen for the school. The manager of the resort will turn over its facilities to the army officers for two hours of life saving instruction and practice each morning during the school week. The afternoons will be spent in class work at the headquarters detachment in Medford. Under plans announced by Major Owens, two members from each 5th period camp in the Medford district and two from each of the 5th period Oregon camps in the Vancouver Barracks district will attend the school here and qualify in life saving and first aid work. These two will return to their camps and conduct a similar school among the members there, giving every CCC enrollee in each camp an opportunity to study this important work. While the complete program for the school will be worked out following the arrival here of a Red Cross life saving representative from San Francisco, the Medford headquarters is going ahead with arrangements to bring the picked members from each camp here for the six-day session. The Medford district will play host to the members from the Vancouver Barracks district during the week. An evening program of swimming, diving and life saving will probably be staged at the Twin Plunges at the end of the session, with the public invited to turn out and witness the result of the school work. Medford Mail Tribune, July 10, 1935, page 6 STATE OFFICIALS VISIT WIMER CCC
CAMP WIMER, July 11.--Edward M. Paulsen, state superintendent of
transient camps, and Thomas L. McCullough, superintendent of the Savage
Creek transient camp, inspected Wimer today. The visit was for the
purpose of exchanging ideas in camp arrangement.Paulson is building a new camp, which will make nine transient camps in Oregon. There are 1,600 transients now living in the eight camps already established. The state superintendent estimates that there are at least a hundred homeless riding each freight train traveling in Oregon. This roving population, ineligible for regular relief or for enrollment in the CCC, finds the transient camps a welcome refuge. Capt. Guy W. Saunders conducted the visitors over the camp, explaining in detail the special features which have been put into operation at Wimer. Medford Mail Tribune, July 11, 1935, page 2 SEEK MAGAZINES FOR CCC CAMPS
An appeal for old magazines as reading matter for the new CCC camps in
the Medford district was issued Saturday by A. H. Banwell, manager of
the Chamber of Commerce.Although the War Department supplies regular magazine subscriptions for the CCC camps, the new companies in the district have not yet received their full quota of men and do not enjoy the status of regular companies. As a result, the men now assigned to these camps are short of reading matter, and the Chamber of Commerce hopes to receive a supply of old magazines for their use. Magazines suited for men's reading are especially desired. The magazines should be left at the Chamber of Commerce headquarters. Medford Mail Tribune, July 14, 1935, page 9 EVANS CCC NINE TO PLAY ROGUES
The Evans Creek CCC camp baseball nine, untrammeled in 23 games so far
this year, has issued a challenge to the Medford Rogues. The Rogues
took the challenge, and a game has been arranged for tomorrow night at
the senior high school field on South Oakdale Avenue.The Evans Creek team, formerly called the Caves City Cavemen, has walloped the Grants Pass and the Klamath Falls Southern Oregon League teams, and would like to make it a clean slate by accommodating Medford and Ashland in the same wise. Les Wolfe, rangy Texas wrestler who pitched the last inning of the Medford-Ashland game yesterday, will twirl for the Rogues, according to manager Hoffard. The game is called for 5:30. Medford Mail Tribune, July 15, 1935, page 2 PORTABLE HOUSE FOR CCC SQUADS IS EASY TO MOVE
CAMP WIMER, July 15.--(Spl.)--The portable house for side camps
instituted at Wimer some months ago and first built at Jack Creek camp
passed its first test successfully when surveyor Lew Amort dismantled,
moved and reassembled an 8-man bunk house here Friday in 7½ hours.
Amort used four men and a truck to move the building from Central Point
side camp to its new location at Murphy, 35 miles away.It took the four CCC members one hour to unbolt the house, another hour to load it and four hours to reassemble it after the truck reached the new location at Murphy. Amort thinks that when the men are a little more experienced in dismantling and reassembling, the time will be cut. The Wimer type portable bunkhouse is built in three-unit sections which are light enough for ease in handling. Each wall, side of the roof and the floor is divided into three pieces, which are bolted together with ⅜" bolts. The building is strongly braced with A-frames which bolt into the plates. The pieces fit easily into the body of an ordinary-sized truck. Blueprints of the new-type house are in the office of J. J. Russell, ECW camp head. It is expected that all side camps in the state will eventually adopt the idea of a portable house. The discomforts of life in tents seem on the way toward being removed. The government will without additional expense be able to provide warm, comfortable dwellings for men on remote work projects however temporary the location. The house moved Friday was the first of two houses which will be moved from Central Point camp to Murphy to house eight Wimer members who will be stationed there for fire duty under one of Dwight Phipps' fire wardens during the summer months. Twelve Wimer men will also be stationed at Prospect, where there are already buildings available. According to present plans, the men will report at the two fire stations by July 15. Medford Mail Tribune, July 15, 1935, page 6 CAPTAIN LANE ON CCC INSPECTION
Captain Merman O. Lane, inspector from ninth corps area headquarters,
has been on an inspection trip of the Medford CCC district, accompanied
by Major George R. Owens, district commander.Captain Lane visited camps in the Crater Lake area Sunday and inspected the model camp at Wimer Monday. Commanding officers from Medford district camps in Oregon were present for the inspection. Camp Indian Creek, on the Klamath River, was visited Tuesday and officers from the California camps were present. Medford Mail Tribune, July 16, 1935, page 3 CCC WELFARE OFFICERS ATTEND CONFERENCE
Captain William C. Ryan, welfare officer of the Medford CCC district,
left Monday for Vancouver Barracks, Wash., where he is attending a
two-day conference of educational advisers from the 70 established
companies in Oregon and Washington.AT VANCOUVER ARMY POST Educational advisers from all Medford district camps were among those going to Vancouver for the conference. Captain Ryan was to speak on "The Relationship of the Welfare Office to Education." Donald Mace, educational adviser at Wimer, was to speak on "Publicity for CCC Activities," and Victor Sparks, adviser at South Fork, was to speak on "Activities Within the Camp as Related to the Educational Program." Dr. D. E. Wiedman, Medford district educational coordinator, was called away on an eastern trip and was unable to attend the conference, where he was slated to preside Wednesday. The conference is a tri-district affair, with advisers and officers from the Medford, Vancouver Barracks and Fort Lewis districts attending. Included among the speakers are Dr. G. W. Peavy, president of Oregon State College; Dean J. R. Jewell, of the University of Oregon; George E. Griffith, public relations officer for the Forest Service regional office at Portland; and Dr. J. B. Griffing, civil educational adviser, ninth corps area. Medford Mail Tribune, July 16, 1935, page 6 56 PICKED CCC MEN HERE SATURDAY
Fifty-six picked men from the 23 Oregon camps of the Vancouver
Barracks, Washington district, will arrive in Medford Saturday
afternoon to await the opening of the water first aid and life saving
school on Monday morning.FOR LIFE SAVING SCHOOL The two representatives from each of the 18 fifth period Medford district camps will arrive Sunday, and all will be on hand to start work at the Twin Plunges in Ashland Monday. The Ashland pool will be used each morning in practical life saving demonstrations and practice, while the students will receive class instruction at the Headquarters Detachment in Medford each afternoon. The week's work will be climaxed by a water carnival and life saving demonstrations, according to present plans. Medford district will be host to the Vancouver Barracks district men during the week. The life saving school is one of a series being conducted on the coast under the sponsorship of the American Red Cross. Medford Mail Tribune, July 17, 1935, page 3 LIGHTNING STRIKES CCC RADIO STATION
The three radio operators at the Medford CCC headquarters station are
thanking their stars they weren't on duty during the lightning storm
Tuesday afternoon.A bolt of lightning struck the antenna, proceeded down through the set, burned out various gadgets and radio tubes, and bored a hole in the table. The station was silent Wednesday, and the district headquarters had pressed into service the amateur short wave station owned by Gordon Turner, one of the operators, at his home on Mistletoe Street. The Medford station is a part of the army network in the Ninth Corps area. Turner, John Townsend and James McCampbell are the operators. The routine messages between district headquarters and Ninth Corps area headquarters are handled by short wave radio. Medford Mail Tribune, July 24, 1935, page 4 CCC WATER CARNIVAL SATURDAY NIGHT
Plans for a water carnival and life saving demonstrations to be held
Saturday evening at the Twin Plunges in Ashland were announced today by
Captain William C. Ryan, athletic officer of the Medford CCC district.TO END FIRST AID CLASS The carnival will bring to a close the six-day life saving and water first aid school being conducted here and at the Twin Plunges. The swimming races and diving events will bring together the best performers of the Medford and Vancouver Barracks districts, who are here for the school. The public will be invited to attend the carnival, which will start at 7:30 o'clock Saturday evening. Elmer Holstrom, Red Cross life saving instructor in charge of the school, will have charge of arrangements. Jean Eberhart, new Southern Oregon Normal School coach, and Max Gilinsky of Medford, both life saving examiners, have been assisting Holstrom. Ninety members of the Medford and Vancouver Barracks district camps are enrolled in the school. They will return to their camps and conduct similar schools there, making it possible for every CCC member to qualify in this important work. Medford Mail Tribune, July 24, 1935, page 4 CCC YOUTH KILLED WHEN SNAG FALLS
Medford, Or., July 25.--William Silva, 21, a CCC enrollee from Los
Angeles stationed at Camp Upper Rogue, was instantly killed at 4:10
this morning when struck on the chest by a falling snag during forest
fire duty near Prospect, Or.Wesley Ragsdale, another member of the fire-spotting crew, suffered head lacerations when the snag kicked back after striking Silva. Silva was a member of a crew that had left camp Wednesday afternoon under orders from Rogue River National Forest to locate three small lightning fires in the Kiter Creek section. Silva was reported to have been resting with other members of the crew when the burning top of a nearby tree broke out and fell. A shout from Dudley Geary, in charge of the crew, failed to warn the youths in time to escape, Forest Service officials reported. The fire was one of 57 that have shown up since Sunday in the Rogue River National Forest as the result of lightning during severe thunderstorms. None of the fires has spread to any considerable extent, due to continuous suppression work of CCC crews, which have been confined to forest fire duty in the national forest since July 15. The body was to have been brought to Medford today, before shipment to Los Angeles. Silva's emergency addressee at Les Angeles was listed at the CCC district headquarters as Alex Silva. Oregon Journal, Portland, July 25, 1935, page 4 FALLING TREE CRUSHES CCC BOY WM. SILVA MEETS DEATH BATTLING FIRE IN FOREST Wesley Ragsdale of Trail Injured in Same Accident-- Boys at Work on Blaze in Prospect Region Forest Service and CCC officials reported that Silva left camp with the crew yesterday afternoon, under orders from Rogue River National Forest to locate three small fires caused by lightning in the Kiter Creek section. According to word from the camp, Silva and five other men were building a fire line around the blaze and had stopped temporarily to rest at the fire's edge when the top of a burning tree broke out and fell. Warning Fails
It was reported at the Forest Service office here that a shout from
Dudley Geary, in charge of the crew, who was standing nearby, failed to
warn the youths in time to escape. Geary and the injured man were
driven to camp immediately, notifying W. L. Jones, superintendent of
construction for Rogue River National Forest, and army officers, who
left for the scene to bring the body to Medford.The tragedy, which occurred just at daybreak, was said to be the first of its kind in Rogue River National Forest. County Coroner Frank Perl stated that there will be a coroner's investigation and possibly an inquest. Funeral arrangements will be announced later from Conger Funeral Parlor. Home in Los Angeles
Silva, whose address was given as 509½ Chicago Street, Los Angeles, was
enrolled by Medford CCC district last April 24, assigned to Co. 1993
from Fort McArthur. He was active around Upper Rogue camp as a boxer
and as a reporter on the camp newspaper.His emergency addressee was listed at district CCC headquarters as Alex Silva of Los Angeles. The fire upon which he was working was one of 57 that have been started by lightning in the national forest since Sunday. Medford Mail Tribune, July 25, 1935, page 1 SWIMMING CAPTAINS SELECTED
Joseph J. Winkler of Camp Wimer will captain the Medford district
swimming team in the water carnival to be staged Saturday evening at
the Twin Plunges at Ashland. Dean Knight of Camp Cloverdale at
Enterprise, Oregon, will captain the Vancouver Barracks team.FOR CCC CARNIVAL SATURDAY The captains were elected at meetings held by the swimmers from the two districts Thursday evening and were busy Friday holding try-outs to pick the teams. The water carnival will climax a six-day life saving school held here under the supervision of the Medford CCC district. Ninety swimmers from the two districts have taken part in the school and will return to their camps to conduct similar schools among the enrollees. Swimming races, diving events and life-saving demonstrations will be staged at the water carnival, Saturday evening, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend, free of charge, the events. Medford Mail Tribune, July 26, 1935, page 3 PROGRAM MAPPED FOR MORE VISITS BY CCC CHAPLAIN
A new zoning system which will permit more frequent visits of chaplains
to camps of the Medford district will become effective August 1, with
each of the three chaplains being assigned a zone for which he will be
responsible.Captain George Woodall, chaplains reserve, will be assigned to zone 2, with headquarters at Camp Bradford. Chaplain Woodall will conduct religious services at Agness, Coos Head, China Flats, McKinley, Steamboat and South Umpqua Falls. Father Hart, contract clergyman, will be attached to this zone. Captain Harley G. Preston, chaplains reserve, will be assigned to zone 1, with headquarters at Headquarters detachment in Medford. His camps will include Wimer, Rand, Gasquet, Indian Creek, Oak Knoll, Applegate and South Fork. Father William Meagher, contract clergyman, will be attached to this zone. Lieut. H. W. Anderson, chaplains reserve, will be assigned to zone 3, with headquarters at Annie Springs. His camps will include Elk Creek, Diamond Lake, Lava Beds, Upper Rogue and Dog Lake. Each chaplain will visit each camp in his zone at least twice each month, and will conduct services in spike camps or arrange transportation of men to their main camp for services. Medford Mail Tribune, July 29, 1935, page 8 CCC MAN KILLED BY FALLING SNAG
Walter A. Herndzinski, 19, CCC enrollee stationed at Camp South Fork
near Butte Falls died at a Medford hospital early this morning of
injuries received yesterday afternoon when he was violently struck by a
falling snag while working on general fire-prevention work near the
camp.Herndzinski's home was in Chicago, and his mother, Mrs. Anna Herndzinski of 2866 Throop Street in Chicago, has been notified of his death. The body, held at the Conger funeral parlors, will be sent east for burial. This is the second CCC enrollee in a week to be killed by a falling snag. An investigation will be made by CCC authorities. Medford Mail Tribune, July 30, 1935, page 12 FOOD POISONING BEND CCC CAMP
BEND, Ore., Aug. 1.--(AP)--Stricken with food poisoning, four workers
from the CCC camp in the Ochoco National Forest were in a hospital here
today and 74 others in camp were ill.The four brought here last night were slightly improved today, but the attending physician said he feared they were not out of danger. Something served for breakfast yesterday was believed to have caused the epidemic. Those brought here were Ed Zych, William Daly and Frank Zevins, CCC workers from Chicago, and L. S. Wyatt, a civilian carpenter from Prineville. Most of the camp recruits are from the metropolitan districts of Illinois. Medford Mail Tribune, August 1, 1935, page 2 WIMER CAMP WINS FLAG THIRD TIME
CAMP WIMER, July 31.--Medford district dropped the laurel on Wimer's
brow for the third time in four months, it was announced here today.
The flag awarded to the best camp in the Medford district, which has
flown from Wimer flag pole for the month of July, will continue to fly
during the month of August. Wimer has been called best junior camp in
the district for April, June and July.The letter announcing the award stated that Captain Guy W. Saunders' all-Oregon company is to be especially commended for the splendid showing made during the past month. Brass hats have blossomed in Wimer like a field of daisies during July, Captain H. O. Lane, Ninth Corps area inspector, with Major G. R. Owens and 16 company commanders recently inspected the camp and noted features for incorporation in other Medford camps. Captain Lane stated that Wimer is in highly satisfactory condition. Recent improvements at Wimer include varnished floors for recreation hall and mess hall; painted walls for office, officers' quarters, recreation hall mess hall; and painted battens on all buildings. Medford Mail Tribune, August 1, 1935, page 8 CCC VICTIMS FOOD POISONING RECOVER
BEND, Ore., Aug. 2.--(AP)--The 78 food poisoning victims from the
Ochoco Civilian Conservation Corps camp were reported today to be well
on the road to recovery.Four of those worst afflicted by the epidemic were brought here while the others were treated at the camp, of which Captain C. B. Reed is commandant. Medford Mail Tribune, August 2, 1935, page 5 RELIGIOUS MEETS FOR CCC CAMPS IN AUGUST FIXED
Religious services for camps of Zone 1 in the Medford district during
the month of August were announced by Chaplain Harley G. Preston. The
schedule follows:Wimer: August 5 and 6 and August 20, Chaplain Preston; August 13, Rev. G. P. Kabele, Medford; August 26, Father William J. Meagher, Medford. Rand: August 2 and 21, Chaplain Preston; August 6, Rev. W. D. Rannels, Grants Pass; August 18, Rev. H. P. Sconce; August 26, Father William J. Meagher. Gasquet: August 7 and 8, and August 22 and 23, Chaplain Preston. Other dates held open. Indian Creek: August 12 and 13 and August 26 and 27, Chaplain Preston. Other dates held open. Oak Knoll: August 5, Father William J. Meagher; August 14 and 15, Chaplain Preston; August 20, Rev. C. D. Miller, Yreka; August 28, Chaplain Preston. Applegate: August 8, Capt. G. R. Durham, Medford; August 16 and 29, Chaplain Preston; August 22, Captain Durham. South Fork: August 6, Rev. Joseph Knotts, Medford; August 12, Father William J. Meagher, Medford; August 19 and 30, Chaplain Preston. Religious services for Zone 3 in the Medford district for the month of August were announced by Chaplain H. W. Anderson. The schedule follows: Elk Creek: August 1 and 2 and August 13, Chaplain Anderson; August 20, Rev. D. E. Millard, Eagle Point, Ore. Upper Rogue: August 5 and 6 and August 19 and 20, Chaplain Anderson; August 27, Rev. Millard. Diamond Lake: August 7 and 8, Chaplain Anderson; August 13, Rev. Dawes, Medford; August 21 and 22, Chaplain Anderson; August 27, Rev. W. R. Baird, Medford. Annie Springs: August 9, Chaplain Anderson; August 15, Capt. G. R. Durham, Medford; August 23 and 30, Chaplain Anderson. Lava Beds: August 6, Rev. Arthur Bates, Klamath Falls; August 12 and 13 and 26 and 27, Chaplain Anderson. Dog Lake: August 6, Rev. J. M. Johnson, Lakeview; August 14 and 15, Chaplain Anderson; August 20, Rev. C. C. Griffiths, Lakeview; August 28 and 29, Chaplain Anderson. Visits of Catholic contract chaplains to these camps will be announced later. Medford Mail Tribune, August 2, 1935, page 13 NOTED NATURALIST TO GIVE LECTURES IN CCC DISTRICT
Backed by years of travel in the West and on the seas, and hundreds of
appearances on the lecture stage, Alfred Cookman opened a tour of
Medford district CCC camps today. Cookman is one of the nation's outstanding lecturers and naturalists and will probably spend two months in this district. He carries with him valuable specimens of bird life and actual photographs of wildlife in their native haunts. He exhibits the flag of the International Adventurers of the World, which numbers among its fellows Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh, Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith. The lecturer was a three-year letterman in football and track at USC, took graduate work at Yale, where he was assistant curator of the Peabody Museum and is a founder-fellow of the Pacific Geographic Society. He served with the medical personnel of the U.S. army for 14 months in France under Major General Malin B. Craig. His first lecture series in the Medford district will be on "The Romance of Bird Life." Colored slides, photographs and hundreds of birds, stuffed and mounted specimens from his collection of birds, game and fish are used during his lectures. He will present lectures on future tours throughout the district on "Cruising in Mexican Waters" and "Wild Life and the Camera." Medford Mail Tribune, August 7, 1935, page 8 FIGHTING OF FIRES DELAYS ROAD JOBS WIMER CCC CREW
CAMP WIMER, Aug. 9.--(Spl.)--Fire interruptions and low company
strength may prevent the Wimer CCC workmen from reaching the objectives
laid out for summer accomplishment, it is thought here. At the present
time the road to the top of Battle Mountain is receiving major
attention, the object being to cut through to the observation tower at
that high point so that material may be moved in by truck to build the
new tower before the fall rains commence.Road to Top of Battle Mountain Receiving Major Attention-- Jack Creek Road Faces Easy Stretch Wimer recently received a new bulldozer, making four in all now working out of this camp. Two of the snub-nosed dirt movers are gashing the sides of Fry Peak one mile short of the saddle between the Fry Peak and Battle Mountain. From the saddle, there will still be 1½ miles of road to build before the first load of timbers can be moved in for the new tower. Chief Foreman Thompson hopes to cut a truck trail through to the top by October 1, thus winning the race with the rains by a narrow margin. Push Jack Creek Road
The Jack Creek road has now emerged from the Jack Creek canyon timber
and has begun the half-mile of comparatively easy going along the bare
ridge toward the Daisy mine. Foreman Coffman hopes to reach the mine,
1½ miles away, by September 15. Ultimate objective of the Jack Creek
road is to tie into the King Mountain road 4 miles beyond the mine at a
point in the burn at the head of Ditch Creek.The Ditch Creek-King Mountain road still lacks two miles of reaching the point where it makes a juncture with the Jack Creek road. At that point it will begin the plunge down the hillside to Grave Creek, cross at the Pease place and ascend the slope to King Mountain along the flat ridge between Boulder Creek and Baker Creek. Distance yet to go to King Mountain is about 8 miles, and it will be impossible to complete the road before the rains commence. Rock Crusher Moving
During the next three days a 75-yard rock crusher will be sent in to be
set up at Rock Bluff two miles above the juncture of the Ditch Creek
and county road. Rock from the crusher will be used to make the new
road passable during the winter months, thus making it possible to work
on the ridges between Daisy mine and the burn until heavy snow falls.
The Jack Creek road will not likely be rocked this year.The new road system will, in addition to its usefulness in the control of fires, be instrumental in opening up new regions of scenic beauty to summer tourists. Steepest of the roads, Jack Creek, has a grade which does not exceed 12 percent, easily passable for passenger cars. Winding up through shady canyons heavily wooded by fir, pine and cedar, it emerges on a long narrow ridge where for half a mile, automobilists can look out in either direction upon a tumbled world of green-clad hills with steep and twisted canyons. The hills are like monster earthen waves with the plumes of tall trees for foam. Big Valley Visible
At a point on the Battle Mountain road just before the snaky road
throws a coil round Fry Peak to the saddle, the whole of Pleasant
Valley dotted with farms stretches out visible to the hills beyond the
Rogue. A wide place in the trail at this breezy point will enable
tourists to stop and reflect on the littleness of man.CCC members, keeping a sharp lookout for outcroppings of gold, examine the quartz every time the bulldozer of the dynamite crew turns it up. So far nothing but fools' gold has been found, but the boys go on scanning the milky quartz. The next rock may be flecked with gold. Medford Mail Tribune, August 9, 1935, page 9 WIMER CCC WORK EYED BY DISTRICT OFFICIALS
CAMP WIMER, Aug. 10.--(Spl.)--O. & C. Inspector E. C. McDaniels,
District Warden Dwight Phipps and District Inspector Lloyd Morris
stopped in Wimer Friday long enough to visit Wimer's work project.
Inspector McDaniels has just completed a swing through southwestern and
southern Oregon via Bend, Klamath Falls and Medford. From Wimer he
returns directly to his Portland office. He is charged with inspection
of forestry CCC camps in Washington and Oregon.Medford Mail Tribune, August 11, 1935, page 12 C.C.C. CATERPILLAR FIRST VEHICLE TO MAKE AGNESS TRIP
GRANTS PASS, Aug. 12.--(Spl.)--Pushing trees, rocks and brush out of
its way or cutting a path out of the mountainsides where necessary and
taking advantage of ridges and open spaces where possible, a
caterpillar road builder was taken to the Agness CCC camp recently--the
first time any equipment on wheels has been taken to Agness by land.Heretofore all heavy equipment has been taken up the Rogue River from Gold Beach by boat. Difficulties experienced on the river, however, made the forest officials try the overland job. The feat was considered impossible by many officials of the Siskiyou forest, but others were just as staunch in the belief that it could be done. Word of the accomplishment was received at the Siskiyou forestry headquarters here Saturday and announced by A. G. Jackson, assistant forester. The 60-horsepower machine was taken by three CCC men up Pistol River from the coast highway over the road built last summer to the Wildhorse guard station, a distance of about 25 miles from the highway. From the station the men had to make their own rough trail. For three days the cumbersome but powerful caterpillar was driven through 11 miles of trackless forest of the Illinois-Rogue River district. Trees had to be pushed down, rocks moved aside, and trail had to be cut out of steep mountainsides. Wherever possible the machine was driven along ridges where brush was about the only difficulty or put through natural open meadows. The Illinois River was forded near the mouth, and the bulldozer was driven across the Agness bridge to the CCC camp. The three men and their machine had opened an entirely new route for taking heavy machinery into the heart of the Rogue River wilderness. Though the rough trail will not be suitable for taking trucks to Agness as yet, tractors and trail-builders will have much less difficulty in going over the route in the future because most of the "rough spots" were "knocked off," forest officials indicated. Medford Mail Tribune, August 12, 1935, page 8 CAMP WIMER SKIPPER RECEIVES
CAMP WIMER, Aug. 14.--(Spl.)--Flag for the most outstanding camp in
Medford CCC district which flies from Wimer's flagpole jiggled with
additional pride in the breeze here today when a letter from Medford
district's commander, Major G. R. Owens, to Wimer's Captain Guy. W.
Saunders quoted Ninth Corps area's comments on the last inspection of
Wimer by Ninth Corps area's Captain H. O. Lane.HIGH PRAISE FOLLOWING INSPECTION The letter quoted from Ninth Corps area's commanding officer, Major General Malone, said in part, "Probably a better mess cannot be found in any CCC camp in this corps area. It is noteworthy that a class in cooking and mess management for the Medford district is regularly conducted at this camp. The morale of this camp is exceedingly high. This can be attributed to the unusual ability of the commanding officer of the camp and his subordinate officers, plus unusual interest and ability on the part of the educational supervisor. The camp can well be used as a model for the other camps in Medford district. Most of the Oregon boys who make up the personnel of Wimer's company 964 are from Medford, Grants Pass and surrounding towns. During the past four months they have three times taken the flag as outstanding company in Medford district, competing with different companies from Illinois, Nebraska, California and Oregon. Medford Mail Tribune, August 14, 1935, page 12 BUTTE FALLS FIRE 25 YEARS AGO WAS
WORST EVER SEEN
Forest Service officials are calling attention this week to the fact
that just 25 years ago regular army troops were being dispatched by
special train from Vancouver Barracks and American Lake to the Butte
Falls district of the upper Rogue River to fight the most disastrous
onslaught of forest fire that had ever occurred in this part of the
state. Homesteaders and all other men available were collected to
battle a wall of flame that swept through the treetops, consuming
everything in its path. The army commander in charge on that occasion
was Charles
H. Martin,
then a major and now governor of the state, and the U.S. Forest Service
official detailed to that district was C. J. Buck, new U.S. Regional
Forester, with headquarters in Portland.Soldiers in Charge of Major Martin, Now Governor, Sent to Battle Flames-- 236,000 Acres Burned Burned Huge Area
Newspapers throughout the country carried headlines on this fire, which
burned out dozens of settlers, razed sawmills and wiped out thousands
of acres of valuable timber. Records show that 236,000 acres of Oregon
forest land were burned that year, with nearly 2 billion board-feet of
timber. Nearly a billion feet of timber were burned in the Rogue River
district. While this does not approach the Tillamook
fire of 1933, which consumed 12 billion feet of timber on
325,000 acres, and was eclipsed by the terrible Idaho
fire of 1910, it marks well up among the disastrous forest
fires of history, according to the Forest Service.The use of the soldiers to combat the serious fires of 1910 caused favorable comment from the press and from individuals and fire protective agencies. The soldiers had given a good account of themselves, and according to newspaper files of that time an attempt was made to extend the use of the regular army in forest fire protective work. The government had made a start toward a wise policy, timbermen were quoted as saying, and the keeping of detachments of soldiers at convenient points during fire season was advocated as a vast improvement in forest protection over the system which was forced to depend upon "pickup" crews, with the necessary disorganization and delay in getting them to a fire. CCC Now on Duty
Forest Service officials point to the present CCC organization as a
logical evolution of measures to meet the needs so forcibly felt at
that time. The CCC, they state, is a demonstration of the advantages of
organized units in fire fighting and so located at focal points that
they can be rushed to the fire line at a moment's notice.Permanent fire protection improvements, namely roads, lookout towers, and telephone lines, plus this available manpower in the forest area, have already proved invaluable in preventing disasters like the Butte Falls or Tillamook fire, forest officials believe. Medford Mail Tribune, September 6, 1935, page 17 The Butte Falls fire is today remembered as the "Cat Hill fire."
Present Diplomas--Major
George R. Owens, Medford district CCC, commander, and Capt. William C.
Ryan, welfare officer, presented diplomas today to 50 graduates of the
CCC school for cooks and bakers at Camp Wimer. The graduates,
completing a six weeks' course, now return to their respective camps.
Another term of the school will start next week. Medford district
claims credit for having inaugurated such schools in the CCC.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, September 26, 1935, page 7 Oakland Boys Get Diplomas as Cooks
Two Oakland boys, Joe Serrano, 1240 93rd Avenue, and Harold Sharpe, 923
Blenheim Street, were granted diplomas at the graduation exercises of
the Medford District Cooks' and Bakers' School at Camp Wimer, Oregon,
today.The school is conducted as part of CCC activities. Culinary experts conduct a four-week intensive course to fit graduates either to help feed their comrades or to obtain employment outside the CCC camps. Serrano and Sharpe will return to camp with a rating as cooks conferred upon them by Major G. R. Owens, Medford CCC District Commander, Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, September 30, 1935, page 7 CCC Workers
Are Being Fingerprinted
MEDFORD, Ore., Oct.
4.--(American Wire)--Fingerprinting of CCC members in the Medford
district is not for the purpose of checking criminal records, the Medford District News,
official CCC newspaper, had assured the tree
troupers today."The purpose of the fingerprints is to provide a permanent and undeniable identification of each member enrolled in the CCC," the paper declared, advising that "fingerprinting can work two ways--it can be used against a man committing a crime, or it can be used to help prove the innocence of one not guilty." Many of the CCC men "are wondering what it's all about," the paper said in a prelude to the explanation. The Seattle Star, October 4, 1935, page 4 CCC WORKERS SET OUT 60,000 PONDEROSA PINE
MEDFORD, Nov. 16.--(AP)--Forest Ranger Maurice Tedder said CCC workers
of camp South Fork will complete planting of 60,000 ponderosa pine in
the Medford watershed next week.He said the planting, largest ever done in the Rogue River National Forest, was a start on the complete reforestation of the Cathill burn. DETACHMENT IS DISTRICT FLAG WINNER
Headquarters Detachment, commanded by Capt. A. T. Anderson, FA
Res., will fly the green flag of district supremacy during the coming
month. The detachment was awarded first place in the district ratings
for the month of November.Wimer Places Second and China Flats Is Third for November Camp Wimer, commanded by Capt. Guy W. Saunders, Inf. Res., placed second in the ratings. Camp China Flats, commanded by Capt. Harry E. Cooper, Cav. Res., was third, and Camp Oak Knoll, commanded by 1st Lieut. Henry F. Phelan, Inf. Res., was fourth. All Points Considered
Companies are rated on all-around excellence; every department from
administration and mess to education and welfare being taken into
consideration.In announcing the awards, Major George R. Owens, district commander, called attention to the fact that ratings for November were very close. . "Camp Sitkum, commanded by Lieut. Worth L. Kindred, showed the greatest improvement during the month," he said. "I predict it will be a very close contender for the flag before another month passes. "Camp Humbug Mountain, commanded by Capt. William B. Ledbetter, is another company deserving of mention," he added. "This company is a newcomer to the district, and the way the officers and men have taken hold makes it another camp to be watched in the monthly pennant race." Medford District News, December 1, 1935, page 1 District Rating in Scholarship
Above Average
A statistical tabulation of the educational background of the 3641
enrollees in the Medford District shows their average schooling
completed to be 9.5 years, or halfway through the ninth grade in high
school.Twenty-six percent, or 922 enrollees, ended their schooling upon completion of the eighth grade; 630 or 18 percent graduated from high school. Six graduated from college. The complete tabulation showed that only one man never attended school; four went through the first grade; three through the second grade; 12 through the third grade; 25 through the fourth grade; 44 through the fifth grade; 95 through the sixth grade; 229 through the seventh grade; and 922 graduated from grade school. Five hundred and six finished the ninth grade; 611 finished the tenth grade; 396 finished the eleventh grade and 630 graduated from high school. Of those who attended college, 71 finished the first year, 50 finished the second, 17 finished the third, six graduated, and two others took a year of postgraduate work. The average schooling completed by members of this district is considerably higher than the average in the United States, which was recently reported to be around the low 8th grade. Medford District News, December 1, 1935, page 1 Tapestry Class
SITKUM--William Hall, enrollee, is conducting a unique class in
tapestry weaving. From ordinary string the class weaves various
articles on homemade looms. The total cost for materials for each
student does not exceed $1.50, and the articles, when completed, make
splendid gifts.Medford District News, December 1, 1935, page 1 MANY SHIFTS ARE MADE IN OFFICER
LIST
Numerous shifts in officer personnel of the Medford district were
made during the past month. These were necessitated by the loss of a
number of officers to other districts on orders from Ninth Corps area
headquarters.Loss to Other Districts Causes Transfers in Officer Personnel Four officers of the regular army and one medical officer of the navy are now on duty here, with the balance of the officer personnel being made up of reserve officers. The four regular army officers are Major George R. Owens, district commander; Captain Ernest W. Gruhn, executive officer; Captain F. H. Canlett, district inspector; and 2nd Lieut. Richard L. Matteson, assistant adjutant. Lieut. (jg) F. Kirk Smith of the navy medical corps is the only representative of the navy now on duty in the district, although a number of navy medical officers were here during the early months of the CCC. Medford District News, December 1, 1935, page 1 New Daily Paper
WIMER--The first issue of Trumpet Notes, a
daily paper which will appear all days of the week except Saturday and
Sunday, was issued recently. It will carry events as they happen and
will contain pertinent excerpts from the daily news. The paper will be
posted on all bulletin boards and read by Captain Saunders at retreat
formation. The Trumpeter
will continue to appear on the 5th and 20th of each
month.Medford District News, December 1, 1935, page 1 ANCIENT RIFLE IS FOUND AT BRADFORD
BRADFORD--An old gun, manufactured in 1861 by the Marlin Arms
Company, was found in an abandoned shack on Rock Creek recently by
Andrew Hillman and Peter Bockstruck, foremen. The barrel is 40 inches
long, octagonal in form.There are two triggers on the weapon, one for safety and one for firing. The rifle, a single-shot type, uses a 40-70 cartridge. The stock was partially destroyed, but Hillman has made a new one and plans to try the weapon out on some bear that visit the apple orchards near here at nights. Medford District News, December 1, 1935, page 1 NEW BRIDGE IS DEDICATED
RAND--Army and Forest Service officials joined with the Grants Pass
chamber of commerce in formally dedicating the Grave Creek bridge here
Nov. 18.The bridge is the longest wooden-truss suspension bridge in the world and has attracted nationwide publicity. Major George R. Owens, commander of the Medford district, G. E. Mitchell, supervisor of the Siskiyou National Forest; R. W. Lincoln, chief bridge engineer of the regional forest, Portland; 80 Grants Pass chamber of commerce members, and the army, Forest Service and CCC personnel of Camp Rand took part in the ceremony. Krausse Has Charge
The bridge was built by the men of Co. 1650 under the supervision of
bridge engineer R. E. Krausse. It spans Rogue River at the mouth of
Grave Creek five miles below camp and forms the connecting link in a
loop drive from Grants Pass, through either Wolf Creek or Leland to the
Pacific Highway, and is an important part of the forest road system.Medford District News, December 1, 1935, page 1 CAMPS SET FOR COLD PERIOD
Although cold weather has descended on most sections of the Medford
district, the 24 camps have been prepared for it and face the coming
months with no fear as to their comfort.SNUG QUARTERS DEFY WRATH OF WINTER SEASON Movements Completed; 24 Companies Settled for Period Improvements in construction of the new camps built during the past summer and renovation of the old ones made every camp snug and warm for the winter period. New Camps Set
Movements of camps in the district were ended early in November when
Co. 1652 arrived at Camp Prescott from the Vancouver Barracks district
and Co. 572 arrived at Camp Humbug Mountain from the Boise, Idaho,
district.With fewer side camps out now that winter has arrived, the educational programs in the 24 camps have been given added impetus, and the men have settled down to a winter of study and self-improvement as well as play during their leisure hours. Technical agencies have planned their winter work projects to assure maximum safety. With plenty of warm clothing issued, dry wood in the woodpile, and food in the commissary, and with a full program of sports, education and recreation mapped out, the Medford district is set for the best period in its history. Medford District News, December 1, 1935, page 1 Nine New Pups
BONANZA--"Babe," Bonanza's canine pet, upped the dog population no
little when she "blessed evented" under Barracks 4. Mama and nine
youngsters are doing well.Medford District News, December 1, 1935, page 1 After two years and a month of duty with Co. 290, Captain Guy has been transferred to Co. 224. The company has never won any banners, but of far greater importance is it that the members have always been a happy, contented lot. He has treated his men as a father would a son, has been ready to give breaks to the deserving, has always had their interest at heart. Surely, everyone will miss him. In this goodbye, we wish him success with his new command. They will come to respect him as we do. By the
Sneer,
newsletter of Ruch, Oregon Company 290, Christmas
1935, page 2Forest Service and Army Personnel and the Members of 290. The Lowdown
The
Saturday night owls of Applegate and Talent enjoyed a pleasant night's
rest in the Medford "hoosegow."Edited by Lionel W. Meno A parade was formed at the Hotel Jackson [illegible] under the supervision of the Medford police. The contingent marched through the main streets to the city hall. Upon reaching their destination, having registered with the night clerk, they were shown to their respective berths. The next morning--guess what? Our "coffee nerves" mess sergeant, Steve Baran, the man who never would sweep a barracks at Applegate, condescended to sweep out the jail. (Is that what Talent is doing to you, Steve?) Others in attendance, lending support to the leading man (were you first in line, Steve?) were Red Foster, Joe Karez, Eugene Nettleton, Walt Rhoades, Herman Bright, Gilbert McDougall, Red McGinnity, John McFarland, and Frank Demonico. ----
Rollo came back from Star Ranger [Station] disgusted because they
couldn't use men with all the intelligence that he claims to possess.
Mr. Rollo well deserves the hard-earned title, "The last man to see
when you are injured."----
For a
change Mr. Jedlicka has been washing prior to chow…what's
wrong with him, we wonder?----
Boxes, staunch advocator of pancakes, is very popular at Star. He
exhibits a great variety of menus. Pancakes in the morning, venison at
noon, venison at night, then a quick change to pancakes in the morning.
Good cook, you betcha.----
One of our best-known rookies, MR. LANGE, has decided to take the trip
to the altar. I overheard the girl's father say, "Daughter, is he
serious?" She replied, "Why, Dad, he asked me how much you make each
week, how large our home is, how our table is served each meal and if
I'm working. He must be serious."----
Jack Kistner, our Bing Crosby, is now crooning dishwasher in Star
Ranger. "Let's see you croon those dishes to sleep, honey boy."----
Just
imagine our telephone operator, John McFarland, making connections in
Jacksonville.----
Just imagine Mr. Hussey (housemaid's knee to you) not concealing
something under his overcoat every time he returns from town. What can
it be, "Old Buck"? Not peach brandy????----
It is
rumored in the best camp society that Mr. Dalrymple prefers them about
35.----
Just
imagine "Let George Do It"
Smith returning from Medford and not singing sweet little love songs.
Isn't love grand?----
Mr. Smith
will conduct classes in
the art of falling in love. He should know, if I am a judge of the
forlorn????Some Observations
Butch Gaylord twirling a cigar; Esposito, the boy who gets his face
lifted twice a week for his wisecracks; Jedlicka, our chief worry,
never fails to blow a fuse when something important is going on;
Henshaw, our version of a perfect nightmare; Bill Irvine, taking up
face lifting, playing one for me and three for you on Esposito; H.
Keith, the boy who faints when he has a tooth pulled, taking up face
lifting.----
The report has come to the attention of this "rag" that Frank Lyons,
who is building a shower house at Star, consults a plan and saws a
board, consults a plan again and drives a nail. At this rate the Star
fellows will be dirty till spring rolls around.finis
Sneer,
newsletter of Ruch, Oregon Company 290, Christmas
1935, pages 5-6EDUCATION There is a good opportunity being offered you to increase your education while you are in the CCC. A wide variety of courses are being offered to you. These include correspondence courses in Auto Mechanics, Diesel Engines, Blueprints and many classes in other subjects such as Forestry, History, Mathematics, and many others which will be an aid to you in your future life. This is an excellent opportunity to increase your education and should not be passed up. Many of you lads are not so bright that you do not have to study anymore. It is a proven fact that the average CCC man has the mentality of a sixteen-year-old boy. So get going, fellows, and keep those vigorous minds of yours from growing rusty. An educational advisor will be here in a few days, and between the two of us and the rest of the educational staff, you will get all the help you need. By
Sneer,
newsletter of Ruch, Oregon Company 290, Christmas
1935, page 6Donald DeFilipps Talent By Lawrence D. Early (Editor's note: Our correspondent advises us to use any heading we see fit; reminds us that he didn't get in until three o'clock in the morning and that his brain doesn't function accordingly. Bats out his stuff on an 1864 typewriter--to operate it one must be either a genius or madman. Says he is no genius.) ----
We are very glad to see the camp paper come back. We always did think
it was a great factor in promoting camp spirit. (George Smith would
call it "esprit de corps" or something.) We wish to thank the powers
behind the throne for starting the rag up again.----
Officers are flying thick and fast around these parts. We can only keep
one for just a few days and then the ax falls and another good officer
is transferred. First we had Lieut. Marvin B. Reeder, famed for the
"Camp Cleanup." Then came Lt. L. G. Cronkhite, very efficient, and a
darned good officer. All the boys hated to see him go because all of
them thought very highly of him. Now we have Lt. Phillip Burchett. He
has only been with us for just a few days so it is hard to form any
opinions as yet.----
One of our members is languishing in durance vile. Joseph Maceri,
public enemy No. 38, purloined some petrol from the forestry
department, and when G-Man George Klingle got on the trail it was only
a matter of a few hours before Joe was safely lodged in the Medford
Bastille (maybe I spelled that word incorrectly). Latest reports are
that Joe has been sent home. We don't know--we never get around much.----
Several of the boys spent Saturday night in the hoosegow. Believe it or
not, they were waiting for a bus. Anyway, the long arm of the law
reached out and gathered them in. They wandered into camp Sunday
looking very sheepish.----
A blanket of fog has descended on our fair city of Talent. Now we can
truly say that we are lost in a fog. It is really immaterial though,
because most of the boys are in a fog anyway.----
Life goes on just the same. Frenchy Hanna still rambles into Medford
and returns to camp looking very happy. Walter Rhoades usually
accompanies him. They separate in town though, because after all, they
don't want to cramp each other's style. Oszie Murphy continues to drink
several cups of coffee each day--we don't know whether he likes the
coffee or whether he just likes the atmosphere. Restaurants usually
have a certain attraction. Luke Griffith continues his search for
higher education. He says that he didn't learn quite enough while in
school, and now he has to make up for lost time. Alabama continues on
in his own unique way--he seems to have more or less settled down now…heh,
heh, tied to a woman's apron strings. That just about finishes the list
of lovers of feminine pulchritude.----
In our next column we hope to have more news. We did this one on such
short notice that we were more or less bewildered, and didn't know
exactly what to write about.Sneer, newsletter of Ruch, Oregon Company 290, Christmas 1935, page 7 Orvil Tilley, Company 2702 CCC, Ruch, Oregon, writes: "We arrived in Medford, Oregon, about daybreak one morning last week. Most of us are satisfied in this new country. We don't have to work hard only in time of fire. We have plenty to eat so we have no reason for complaint. We have been told that after the fire season is over we are going to Missouri." Greenville Sun, Greenville, Missouri, April 30, 1936, page 4 Fairground Blaze Destroys CCC Gear
Medford, Jan. 21.--(U.P.)--Fire early today destroyed the
exhibit
building at the Medford fairground, which was used by the CCC for a
transportation garage.Five new army trucks, an ambulance, an undetermined number of automobiles used by officers and salvaged trucks brought in for repairs were destroyed. Fire Chief Roy Elliott believed the fire started in one of the cars. The blaze was well under way when it was discovered. It was kept from spreading to other buildings. Oregon Journal, Portland, January 21, 1937, page 7 26 U.S. Trucks Damaged by Fire
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP)--Twenty-six government auto trucks used by the CCC
were destroyed in a fire that swept the agricultural building at the
county fair grounds Thursday. The building was used by the CCC as a
garage and storage warehouse.
Idaho Daily Statesman, Boise, January 22, 1937, page 5 Movie Presented to Major G. R. Owens
The movie which we boys have been making here at Camp Peanut was today
officially presented to Major G. R. Owens, Medford district commander,
and will begin its journey through channels to Washington, D.C., where
it has been requested by CCC officials to have its premiere there.By CARL A. BLEDSOE It is the first all-CCC high school cooperative movie, having been made by the CCC boys in Trinity National Forest and the girls from Trinity High School in Weaverville. Al Ford directed the successful movie, and now it will soon be ready for the official critics and previews by Medford district CCC. Major Owens and his staff will view the movie for the boys and help them to select the best parts of the movie which will then be forwarded by Medford district through channels. George Fields, Medford district educational adviser, is also a member of the preview committee. Red Bluff Daily News, Red Bluff, California, April 30, 1938, page 4 Camp Peanut Is Getting Requests for its Movie
CAMP PEANUT, HAYFORK, Cal.--Requests for the first all-enrollee camp
movie, "We're All in the CCC's Now," have come from various sources.
First, Happy Days, the
national CCC newspaper, has offered to make two prints from the movie
for distribution in eastern camps. Robert Fechner has asked for a print
of the movie to show to President Roosevelt, and also it has been
requested by the office of Howard Oxley, national director of CCC
education.By BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Major G. R. Owens, and his staff at Medford district CCC, George Fields, Medford district educational director, and Leon C. Johnson from Forest Service in San Francisco, assisted the boys in making the final draft of the movie to be sent to Dr. D. E. Wiedman at 9th Corps Area and then to Washington, D.C. to Mr. Oxley and Mr. Fechner, director of the CCC. This is the first all-CCC enrollee directed movie, and it was made in connection with Major Frank Williams and the Trinity High School in Weaverville. Red Bluff Daily News, Red Bluff, California, May 20, 1938, page 2 How C.C.C. Saved Medford
We
wish everyone in Medford--or in Jackson County, for that matter--would
go up and down Bear Creek before the flood waters subside and see what
the C.C.C. and other federal relief work on that stream has done for
this community.
The exact figures will have to be left to the engineering experts. But there is no doubt of this: That the investment that federal relief work represents has paid at least a 100% dividend every 24 hours during the past few days. And that's in good cold, hard cash! Cash that, had the work NOT been done, would have had to have been paid out for the flood damage done, thousands and thousands of dollars! And that investment, thanks to the C.C.C., and other federal relief workers, didn't cost this community a dime; the government did it all; the city of Medford, practically speaking, only contributed engineering supervision. SO--If there are any people hereabouts (or elsewhere) who question the value of the C.C.C. to this community, in dollars and cents, and the desirability from the standpoint of the public welfare--even the necessity--of retaining the C.C.C. as it is now constituted and administered here in Southern Oregon, let them go down to Bear Creek now and see the "flood that passed us by"! This single instance justifies every dollar spent to maintain the C.C.C. in this community. Add to that the benefits from increased fire protection to our timber, improved roads and trails, attractive parks like Prescott, atop Roxy Ann, etc., etc., and one need not be surprised that Medford and Jackson County are 100% behind the C.C.C. today, and will fight to the last ditch any suggestion that the present setup, IN ITS ESSENTIALS, be changed! Medford Mail Tribune, February 29, 1940, page 6 PUBLIC INVITED TO VISIT SOUTH
FORK CCC CAMP SUNDAY
CCC Camp South
Fork will hold open house next Sunday afternoon from 1 to 4, and Camp
Commander A. W. Samuels and Superintendent H. H. Barnhart issue a
cordial invitation to the public to visit and inspect the camp and
projects.
Camp South Fork is located 11 miles east of Butte Falls, on the Butte Falls road. To reach the camp, visitors are advised to turn off Crater Lake Highway and travel straight through Butte Falls. A special parking space will be reserved for guests and their cars, and enrollees of the camp will act as guides in showing visitors through the camp. Refreshments will be served during the afternoon. The "open house" is being held in commemoration of the seventh anniversary of the founding of the CCC. Medford Mail Tribune, April 4, 1940, page 14 CCC Enrollees Leaving Medford
MEDFORD, June 13.--An estimated 230 CCC enrollees were leaving the
Medford district this week as headquarters announced plans for the
quarterly troop movements.A special train originating at Marshfield is taking men from two camps, along with a number of special enrollees from the Vancouver Barracks district, to Fort Knox, Ky., for discharge or reassignment. Ninety-two men from Camp South Fork will embark from Medford and will pick up additional enrollees from the Sacramento district. Replacements are expected back in July. Headquarters said here that the South Fork camp would operate with a skeleton crew. Oregon Journal, Portland, June 13, 1940, page 12 Harrison Gulch Camp Sets Safety
Record
Beneath the American flag at Harrison Gulch CCC camp flies a flag with
the following inscribed upon it: "Safety First; Best Camp; Medford
district, CCC."The Harrison Gulch camp has received the flag for its remarkable record in safety. Considering that approximately 31 camps compete in the safety campaign, the meaning of this flag to the camp is obvious. This camp has an enviable record for no lost time accidents, not having one since January, 1940, not to mention all the other safety achievements obtained along other lines. The personnel, army and technical, as well as the enrollees of this camp, are conscious of the honors attached to this flag and therefore are doing their utmost to maintain their good record. Courier Free Press, Redding California, March 14, 1941, page 2 Local Boy in Oregon Camp Says CCC
Offers Many Opportunities
Camp Wimer, P-211
Mr. L. D. Young,Rogue River, Oregon May 26, 1941 Publisher of West Side Journal, Fort Allen, Louisiana Dear Sir: Reference is made to the enclosed article on "CCC Opportunities for Young Men of Today." Since the CCC have been having such a hard time getting new recruits, we have been asked to write letters to our home papers and ask them to publish the enclosed article, thereby giving local young men there an idea of the CCC and its opportunities. We are sure that after reading about the many opportunities offered, young men will realize that they can learn some vocational trade and also get paid while learning it in the CCC. With the help of our educational advisor we have composed this article, and I am sending it to you hoping that you will publish it in the West Side Journal, my home paper. Very truly yours,
"The CCC is today doing a fine job in the rehabilitation of the youth
of the nation and is preparing large numbers of young men for vital
parts in the national defense plans of the nation.Charles R. Hargroder. "When the CCC was first inaugurated in 1933 it was formed with the idea of serving three main objectives. In order of their importance at the time these objectives were: (1) to supply work and relief to those unemployed and in want; (2) to conserve and develop the natural resources of the nation; and (3) to train for self-support unemployed and untrained young men without other opportunities for work and training. "Today however the main objectives must be listed in exactly the reverse order. In other words it is no longer necessary for a family to be on relief rolls in order for a young man to join the CCC. This is a minor consideration now due to the fact that so many enrollees have been discharged to accept civilian employment. The main objective at the present time is the training of young men who have no other means of securing training that would be useful to them without the outlay of considerable money to take such a course. Large numbers of our camps at the present time are offering courses in sheet metal working, carpentry, woodworking, auto mechanics and many other trades which qualify men as helpers or apprentices at these trades. Large numbers of the enrollees are leaving our camps daily for civilian employment in national defense plants as a result of the training which they received in the camps. "Besides the many opportunities to learn a trade as stated above it is possible for the enrollees to further their education in the academic courses. All of the camps have an educational advisor who is a high school teacher. He advises the men as to the courses they should take and advises and helps them in their courses. Most camps also have at least one teacher paid by the state board of education who conducts classes in various subjects from one to five nights a week. There are classes for those who have had very little education or no schooling, those who have had five or six years and right on up the line. For those who wish to work toward a high school diploma there are some classes and any number of specialized correspondence courses which may be taken and which lead to a diploma. Classes in typing are now held in practically every camp in the country. Large numbers of men have received their grammar school certificates, and a large number have received high school diplomas. There are also many courses suitable for those who have finished high school but never had the chance to attend college. All of the camps at the present time are on the Civil Service mailing lists and receive information on all examinations to be held by this board. Many graduates of the camp typing classes are now holding good paying clerical jobs in civilian life while an exceedingly large number of men who attended auto mechanics courses in camp are now holding responsible positions in the armed forces of our nation working in repair shops and driving trucks. Each day more of the outstanding enrollees are being appointed as junior officers in the camps to take the places of officers who have been called to active duty, and in some cases they are even commanding camps. And instead of the enrollees having to pay for the opportunity to improve himself he is paid to do it, he is fed, clothed, and sheltered and he receives free medical and hospital care in case he is sick or injured. "Besides the opportunities listed above there is another one which perhaps overshadows all others in the opinion of many of the enrollees. This is the opportunity to travel to various parts of the country, particularly in the Far West. Perhaps half or more of the timber in the U.S. today is found in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Each year more and more camps are being moved from the South and the Middle West to the West Coast, for it is there that the greater part of the work of conservation is needed. Enrollment in the CCC with a request for assignment to the West Coast presents an opportunity which should appeal to all young men, for it gives them a chance that many people fail to get in an entire lifetime. And it is an opportunity that will not present itself again to the majority of us. There is perhaps no more scenic country in the world than our own Pacific Coast and throughout the West. A large majority of the camps in this area today are camps from the South with southern enrollees and officers. "The Medford CCC District, with headquarters in Medford, Oregon, includes Southern Oregon and Northern California and is composed of 30 camps, of which 28 of them are from the deep South. This district is known as "America's Most Beautiful CCC District" and embraces some of the most scenic country in the U.S. The giant redwood forests of California, Mt. Shasta, the second highest peak in the country, Mt. Shasta National Forest, Mt. Lassen, the only active volcano in the U.S., and the Mt. Lassen National Forest, Crater Lake, a lake in an old volcano crater with perpendicular cliffs rising one thousand feet from the surface of the water, are only a few of the many scenic wonders of this district. "Applications are taken by your local welfare agency, so why not go to them today and make an application for the next enrollment. "Request that you be sent to the West Coast and come out and spend a year or so with us. Many of you who come out here will remain as so many have done before and as many of them are doing each day. In some of the camps you will find boys from as many as seven or eight southern states, so there is a good chance that you will wind up in a camp where there is someone that you know. So go by your local welfare agency today and make your application and come on out. We are sure that you will not regret it and you will get paid for seeing things that thousands of people spend thousands of dollars each year for the privilege of seeing. And it is all yours for the small effort it will take to make an application." West Side Journal, Port Allen, Louisiana, June 6, 1941, page 5 |
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