Mining

M. Weil & Company

In journeying through life we occasionally run across some men who in business circles have fairly distanced competition, endowed with greater advantages perhaps, but still lacking some qualification possessed by themselves. This qualification may be embraced in the three words industry, integrity and business sagacity. The members of the above firm, M. Well and Carl Dilsheimer, are certainly endowed in this manner. In July, 1887, they succeeded Bamberger & Frank in the old White House building, which they occupied until the fire burned out that block. They then moved into a building built for them by Baer & Block, which … Read more

Baker City Public Schools, Baker County OR

The social conditions of every community can be protected and properly developed and only so far as education provides for training the youth of a community for the duties and responsibilities thereto. It bases its institutions entirely upon the moral and spiritual faculties among men. Our social and political organization rests wholly upon the belief that the majority of men prefer good to evil; hence it is the imperative duty of every community to organize these forces that make for right living that they shall be the dominant forces in the social organism. At no time in the history of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. E. B. McDaniel

Oregonians naturally feel an increased interest in the ambitions and aspirations of a young man who was born and raised right here in out own state. This fact, however is not the only reason why Dr. McDaniel is so popular among those that know him. He has won, and fully deserves every iota of esteem and regard in which he is held by his integrity and courtesy and professional knowledge. Dr. McDaniel was born in Cove, Union County, in 1873, and remained there till 1888, receiving his preliminary education there. He then attended the Beaumont Medical College in St. Louis, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. J. P. Atwood

A well-known and popular physician of Baker City, and one whose kind attentive treatment of the sick and geniality of manner towards the well have made him deservedly the favorite of all classes, has made this city his home for many years. He began the practice of his profession before he was twenty-four, having been a graduate of the Medical Department of the Willamette University, also of the Medical Department of Columbia College, of Newark. He for many years did most of the surgical work of what is now Baker and Malheur Counties, and a portion of Union, being an … Read more

Biographical Sketch of C. E. Duckworth

That the people appreciate enterprise and perseverance is shown by the success of one of our principal firms, whose name heads this sketch. They are closely identified with the business interests of this city, and carrying a complete line of general merchandise and miners supplies, are in a position to cater to the wants of their many patrons. That they do this satisfactorily is shown by the legions of friends Mr. Charles E. Duckworth possesses. He is a native of Clark County, Illinois, and in 1870, at the age of eleven with his father, came to Auburn, Baker County. Since … 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

Biographical Sketch of Francis M. Saxton

There is probably no member of the bar of Baker County more well and favorably known than he whose name heads this sketch, and a history of his career such as it justly merits, would prove of deep interest to our readers, and would truly exemplify the old adage that persistency and merit will in the end win out over opportunity. Mr. Saxton was born In 1864, in the Blue Grass State, and remained there with but a short interval until his seventeenth year. He received a country school education. and the last year taught one himself. Moving to Shelby … Read more

Biographical Sketch of I. H. McCord

I. H. McCord, County Recorder of Baker County, and one of the most popular young men in it, was born in Idaho, in 1866. He came to Baker County at an early age with his parents, and received his education in the academy located here at that time. After leaving school he entered the employ of S. B. McCord, and remained with him for a period of ten years. Then he accepted a position as book-keeper of the “Virtue” mine, and remained there several years. He then established himself in the blacksmithing business, a trade be had mastered while working … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jas. W. Duckworth

As an illustration of the progressive element of young manhood which has brought Baker county to the front, the subject of this sketch has by his live ideas, keen perception and good judgment of the opportunities within reach here entitled himself to locution. He is a native of Illinois, crossing the plains with his parents, partly by wagon, arriving at Auburn in 1870, when but eight years old. He remained on the home ranch in the valley for five years, and later spent the same length of time in Sumpter. Beginning prospecting shortly after, he in 1887 located the “North … Read more

Peoples Steam Laundry

One of the most important industries of our thriving town is the above, it portion of the interior of which we present, in an accompanying cut. It is located on Washington street, a half block east of the Warshauer Hotel, in the most central part of the city, and at a spot where they have the moat excellent drainage. The building is 30×100 feet, two stories high. In the purchase of machinery, and in the installation of business no expense was spared in making everything first class, in order that the work turned out might equal any in the state. … Read more

The North Pole Mine

Among the many mines In this county none take higher rank than the North Pole, which lies in the Cracker Creek district. It embraces two fall claims of 1500 feet each, and a fraction of 400 feet, making 3400 feet on the lode bar. The mine is opened and operated through two tunnels, the lower being 400 feet vertically under the upper tunnel. In the upper tunnel a fine ore body varying in width from 2 to 16 feet is being mined and transported to their own reduction works. It averages $16 per ton. The lower or main tunnel encounters … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. R. Privett

For years, W. R. Privett has been connected with various institutions of learning, until the profession of a teacher, than which there is no higher or nobler, has became second nature to him, slid none in the ranks of that profession stand higher or more universally command the respect and esteem of the general public, than does the subject of this sketch. Born in Missouri in 1847, he came to Oregon in 1852, with his parents, who died enroute. He made his home with an uncle, on a farm near Scio, and received his preliminary education in the public schools. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of M. E. Swan

The present efficient Clerk of Baker County, is a man who stands high among his constituents, and is the fortunate possessor of a host of warm personal friends, who in their admiration of his numerous sterling qualities, would make almost any sacrifice to enhance his success. He was born within the borders of the Empire State, New York, in 1857. In 1881 he came to Baker County and was engaged in placer mining in the Mormon Basin, for two years. He then entered the employ of P. Basche & Co., and finally became head salesman. In 1892 he left their … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. George W. Tape

A well-known and popular physician of Sumpter, and one whose kind, attentive treatment of the sick and geniality of manner towards them well have made him deservenly the favorite of all classes, was born in Ontario, Canada. In 1865, and received his preliminary education in that province. At the age of eighteen he entered the Detroit College of Medicine, and graduated in 1888. He then took a position on the house staff of the Harper Hospital at Detroit, and remained there till he came west, locating in Portland in 1891, where he successfully practiced for two years. In 1893 he … Read more

Palmer & Denham

A list of Baker City’s enterprising and successful business men would not he complete without mentioning Palmer & Denham, the hustling, up-to-date harness men of Main street. The partners, R. R. Palmer and H. E. Denham, are both practical mechanics and personally supervise the construction of every piece of work that is turned out of their shop. The interior cut we present will give our traders some idea of the line carried, which consists of harness, saddles, saddlery, hardware, horse furniture of every description and gloves. They have the largest stock in Eastern Oregon, keeping at large assortment on hand … 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

Biographical Sketch of J. A. Churchill

Among the public institutions of our country note more deservedly attract the attention of all lovers of law and order than do our public schools. It is all important, therefore, that each city should have some man of learning and ambition at the bead to represent, as It were, in a single individual the individual interest of every child in it. We are peculiarly fortunate in the section of capacity to fill this position. lie has the ripe experience of a successful teacher, the energy and ambition of a man who is just entering the prime of life, the love … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James T. Wisdom

The accompanying cut is reproduced from a snap-shot taken on Willow Grove Farm, the property of James T. Wisdom, who has earned quite a reputation as a breeder of Short Horn cattle. His place, which is probably the best improved one in the county, is located six stiles northwest of Baker City, and consist of 311 acres of choice land adapted to raising both hay and grain. It has five running streams of water on it, and one could not possibly find a more suitable place for the purpose for which it is used. Our cut hardly does justice to … Read more

Biography of Archibald Downie

The name that heads this sketch is one well known throughout the west. He who bears it is now over three score years of age, but he appears much younger, and is possessed of a greater degree of vim and energy than is ordinarily displayed by men of younger years. His career has, indeed, been an interesting one, and to enumerate even the more prominent events of his life and to do justice to his energy and enterprise in one brief sketch would be impossible, as it would occupy more space than we can spare in our little volume. Mr. … Read more