Baker County Oregon Gold Mining History Collections – Page 2 of 5

Herefords, Chandler

Prominent among the self-made men of this county is lie whose name heads this sketch, and who has been a prominent character in business and political circles for many years past. He was born in Missouri, September 1, 1845 and came here in 1862, and has resided here ever since, and has made a host of friends who have every confidence in his honesty, efficiency and integrity, and that they have not mistaken their man is evidenced by the fact that he has never betrayed them, and by his obliging and accommodating disposition has ever shown it willingness to do … Read more

Gold Star Gold Mining & Milling Co.

On the east slope of the Blue Mountains, about thirty-six miles west of Baker City, in Baker County, and twelve miles from Sumpter, the present terminus of the Sumpter Valley Railway, lies the property of the above named company. It consists of six claims, six hundred by fifteen hundred feet, as follows: The California, Winning Band, Daisy, Silver Creek, Hornet, and Coal Pit. On the former a great deal of work has been done, six tunnels laving been driven, No. 1 being 100 feet long, No. 2 125 feet, No. 3, 75 feet, No. 4, 200 feet, No. 5, 268 … Read more

Gold Mining Districts of Baker County, Oregon

BAISLEY-ELKHORN DISTRICT Sixteen miles northwest of Baker City is located the Baisley-Elkhorn district. The veins run north and south, formation principally slate, and the free-milling value of the ores is 40 per cent; balance of values is saved in concentrates containing a great deal of massive sulphide ore. These concentrates average about $65 to the ton, and all the properties in the district have a considerable amount of shipping ore. Most prominent among the producers of this district is the Baisley-Elkhorn, situated at the head of Pine creek, at an altitude of 6,500 feet. The present management under the ownership … Read more

Geddes & Pollman

This establishment is the principal one of its kind in Eastern Oregon, and in many respects the model one of the state. The present firm composed of J. A. Geddes and Wm. Pollman, succeeded Geddes & Kraft in 1889. At that time they were located in the rear of S. A. Heilner’s in a small building 18×30. In 1891 they established the City Market moved there altogether in 1894, but being continually pressed for room, last year erected their present building, the New Market. It is 25×100, two stories and is beyond doubt the best constructed building in town. No … Read more

Ferguson, James F.

The subject if our sketch, Jas. F. Ferguson, has been more active perhaps than any one else in placing the resources of Baker County and its environments before not only Western investors, but those of the far East as well. His shrewd judgment and conservative business methods have won for him an enviable reputation, and his advice on the real estate and mining investments of this section is much sought after. He has been located here as a real estate and insurance broker since 1875 representing sixteen of the leading insurance companies of the world, such as the London. Liverpool … Read more

F. W. Hendley’s Warehouse

Baker City is steadily growing in importance commercially, and one of the institutions that will largely contribute to this advancement is the subject of our sketch. It is situated on the O. R. & N. Co.’s track, one hundred feet from any other building, and being covered with corrugated iron, is virtually safe against fire. Their business is to both store and forward merchandise for interior merchants, and the handling of wool, grain, flour, sugar, salt. rolled oats and canned goods on commission. The cut we present of the warehouse hardly does justice to it. The owner, F. W. Hendley … Read more

Davis, E. Dr.

There is probably in Baker City today no man more popular in his profession than Dr. E. Davis. His popularity is well merited for he is not only gifted with most winning manners, but with unexcelled skill in his profession. Dr. Davis is a native son, having been born in Eugene in 1866. He moved with his parents to Eastern Washington, then returned to Monmouth, Polk county, in 1882, and attended the State Normal School till 1885. He then took up the study of dentistry under Dr. I. T. Mason, of Dallas, Polk county, remaining with him a year. He … Read more

Crystal Palace

Among our large and flourishing business houses, that of the Crystal Palace must be accorded a prominent place. This business was started in l887 in a small way, by Mr. Adler, in the Wisdom block, and enjoyed exceptional prosperity from the start. Last November he was compelled to move to his new quarters and now occupies a floor space of 50×100. In this he carries a very heavy line of jewelry, musical instruments, books, stationery, toys. etc. His jewelry department of which we present an interior cut, is by far the handsomest in the city, provided as it is with … Read more

Commercial Hotel

One of the most popular hotels of our city is the “Commercial,” Mrs. L. E. Miller, proprietor. The building is splendidly situated on First and Court streets convenient to the principal thoroughfare of the city. It possesses a large, bright guest rooms, single and en suite. The house is provided with every modern convenience, gas, electric light, hot and cold water all through it. The dining room is capable of seating forty people, and being under the personal supervision of the proprietor, is noted for its home cooking and satisfying meals. The rates are popular, ranging from $1.00 to $1.25 … Read more

Columbine Mine

Located in the ruining district known as Cracker Creek, lies the Columbia mine, one of the oldest properties in Baker county. Prospected first by the Cable Brothers, in the early eighties, it has passed through a succession of development stages until today it stands among the first properties of the country. Surrounded by all the necessary elements for successful mining ore, water and timber, the question of its future success seems one of magnitude merely. The property, which now consists of nine quartz and five placer claims, is owned and operated by a corporation known as the Columbia Gold Mining … Read more

Brown & Heath

The largest establishment of the kind in Baker City, and among the largest in Eastern Oregon. is the drug house of Brown & Heath. They carry a complete line of everything pertaining to the drug trade, including sundries of every description. The interior view we present of their store, will give you perhaps an idea of the stock they carry. No expense has been spared in fitting up their store for the display of goods, thirty-five hundred dollars being spent for fixtures alone. The proprietors, W. C. Brown and M. E. Heath, are both experienced druggists of many years standing, … Read more

Bonanza Mine

About four miles southeasterly of Robinsonville is situated the famous Bonanza mine, the largest and probably most valuable free gold mine of the northwest. Discovered and located in the seventies. It was worked by the original locators for ten years, they reducing the ores by the arrastra process. In 1885 Portland capital purchased it, and erected a ten stamp mill. They continued operations for two years, but failed to make a success of it, and finally closed down. In 1891 the Geiser Estate purchased it, reopened the old works and have had the mine and mill in continuous operation since, … Read more

Biography of William Rufus King

William Rufus King. the nominee for governor of the people’s, democratic, silver republican parties, in this state, was born near Walla Walla, Washington, October 3, 1864, of pioneer parentage, and was brought up on a farm. The rugged life on a frontier farm tended to develop the characteristics of honesty, courage, self-reliance, and strong individuality, with which he was endowed by nature and which at the early age of thirty-three, has made him one of the foremost young men within the state of Oregon. He is truly what might be called a self-made man, for he has carved his way, … Read more

Biography of William E. Grace

It is perfectly natural to admire pluck and ambition in a unto find this, no doubt. is one reason why he whose name heads this sketch has won so many friends during his residence in this state. He was born in Jasper county. Missouri, in 1856. Besides getting a public school education, he attended the Rolla School of mines and Metallurgy, at Rolla, Missouri. In 1880 he located Oregon City, Oregon. where he was engaged for sometime in a drug store. Removing to Prineville, Crook county, he was appointed deputy sheriff under Geo. Chruchill and later was appointed deputy county … Read more

Biography of W. E. Baker

The above-named gentleman who operates the bakery on Main street, between Washington and Center, located here in March, 1894. He had a number of years experience in the business, and immediately went to work for C. Hollingsworth, and two years later bought him out. Finding the old quarters to small a year later he was compelled to move to his present place of business, which had been especially built for him. It is constructed of brick, 20×100 with a fine basement which he uses for storage purposes. His oven was constructed fit such a manner that he can use hot … Read more

Biography of Thos. McEwen

The sterling citizen, whose every thought is for the good of the community in which he has reared his home and contented his associations, must always command the respect and esteem of his fellow men. Of such metal and commanding such respect, is he whose name is inscribed above. Born fin Glasgow, Scotland, in 1853, he remained there until his seventeenth year. Coming at that time to the United States, he spent about ten years in Patterson, N. J. In 1879 he went to California, but only remained there it short time. He then moved to Portland, and shortly after … Read more

Biography of S. A. Heilner

When we see a gentleman who is successful in his business, we know that his prosperity is not the result of chance, but rather that he has worked hard and long, and that he possesses a spirit which does not succumb to trifling discouragements. When one attains this proud distinction of being known as a solid man, his word is considered its good as his bond, and his reputation must necessarily be unblemished. Mr. Heilner is one of our citizens who, without aid or guidance, has followed the true instincts of his own progressive nature and today takes his place … Read more

Biography of P. Basche

What Wendell Phillips said of great Political institutions is also true of great business enterprises: “They are not made, they grow,” This saying finds ample and fitting illustration in the large hardware establishment owned by P. Basche. Established in 1865 by J. H. Parker, two years later P. Basche and S. Ottenheimer bought him out, the later selling out a year later to S. H. Parker again, the firm continuing as Parker & Basche until 1888, when .J. P. Faull became interested, buying out Mr. Parker’s interest two years after Mr. Faull’s death Mr. Basche bought his interest and has … Read more

Biography of John W. Wisdom

One of our most representative and best patronized drug houses is that of John R. Wisdom, which was established in 1867. The stock carried is a very large one embracing everything in the into of pure, fresh drugs, chemicals, patent medicines, druggist sundries, perfumes, toilet articles, etc., physicians prescriptions and family receipts are most carefully and accurately compounded. The proprietor today enjoys the distinction of being the pioneer merchant of the city. He is a native of Missouri, came to this county in 1862, and on his return from the Boise mines a year later, followed teaming until 1867, when … Read more

Biography of J. Nat Hudson

Nat. Hudson, the subject of this sketch, was born in Polk County, Oregon, August 20, 1852, and is near 46 years of age. Commencing when only 13 years old, he served 18 years as an apprentice and journeyman blacksmith and machinist, working at various times in the larger towns cities of the Pacific Coast. While working at his he studied late during his spare time, and in 1882 admitted to practice in the Oregon Supreme Court in the same class with Judge M. D. Clifford, Paul Deady and others. In May, 1884, he was, on motion of ex-governor Geo. L. … Read more