Thursday, April 27, 1972
Visiting in the Sam Mickey home last weekend were Mrs. Mickey’s sister and brother-n-law, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Fatherly, and friends from Texas, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Mulcher, whom the Mickeys had not seen for 24 years. The Mickeys and their guests all had dinner Monday night at the home of Mrs. Mickey’s mother, Mrs. Lucy Shough, who lives in grants Pass. Also attending the dinner were two of Mrs. Mickey’s nieces and their families, the Jim Hinks of Eagle Point, and the Adrin Wards of Grants Pass.
Mrs. Kay Wahl, president of the Illinois Valley Garden Club, attended the all-day meeting of the Siskiyou District, Oregon Federation of Garden Clubs, April 20 at the Grange Hall in Central Point. Mrs. Wahl was accompanied by garden club officers and past presidents, Mrs. Gladys England, Mrs. Beulah Hamilton, Mrs. Ethyl Smith, and Mrs. Helen Versteeg.
Mrs. Alice Rodrigues returned week from a 10-day visit in California. She made the trip down and back with her brother, Captain E. W. Freitas and his wife Vel, who were also visiting in that state. Alice visited her daughter Marilee and her husband Donald Havens and their four grandchildren, who live in Gilroy. She spent several days with her son Richard Rodrigues and his wife Susan and two grandchildren, before returning home.
Rachel Thrasher recently went to Eugene with her daughter Grace and son-in-law Tom Blanchard to visit the Blanchard’s two sons and their wives. From Eugene they went to Lebanon during the strawberry festival program and were delighted to see the queen and her court, since her granddaughter was one of the princesses.
Bob, Virginia, and Gloria Steimer of Grants Pass had Sunday dinner with Rachael.
James T. Chinnok, an early lawyer of Grants Pass, was interested in the history of Josephine County. More than 45 years ago he wrote these words: “Many facts of historical significance lie buried in the county and city records. One who has no personal knowledge of early history of the county may find in dusty volumes in the county clerk’s office a great deal of reliable information. These records to back to 1856, when the county was created. Further records of Jackson County, of which this county was a part of prior to 1856, gives more light upon the earliest history of the county. While many of the recorded facts may not coincide with the memories of the pioneers, yet they are disclosed by records made at the time, and must be considered as accurate. Weeks could be spent in searching these records and many matters of historical importance brought to light that may have been forgotten. By combining the recorded facts, a fairly accurate history of the county could be written. Together with facts of the early settlers, perhaps brought to mind by the records, a competent person could prepare an interesting and valuable history of the county. The primitive condition under which the pioneers lived may be contrasted with the luxuries of modern times.”
I do not pretend to be the person who could prepare a valuable history of the county, but I hope in the near future to examine some of the “dusty” old volumes in the county clerk’s office. (Dusty, did I say? I can’t imagine such valuable old documents, in our present county clerk’s office, being dust covered.) I hope to find interesting information of the early days of the county and more especially, facts relating to Illinois Valley. There are not many pioneers left who were living 45 years ago, and who could have told interesting stories of everyday pioneer life in our locality., but some of their children and relatives are now remembering stories their elders told when friends and neighbors gathered together on Sundays and for picnics. If you recall any of these stories, I would be very interested in listening to them-just everyday happenings, nothing gory.