Mining

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

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

The Sagamore Hotel

An engraving of the Sagamore is shown in this issue of the Democrat. This, one of the best hotels in Eastern Oregon, was erected by J. B. Griswold last season, and opened under the present management October 1st. The building is well arranged and very commodious, consisting of forty-four rooms, with elegant verandas surrounding it, giving it the homelike appearance an inspection of its interior discloses. The main office is well arranged, supplied as it is with a number of conveniences for guests, including all the leading periodicals and magazines. The baggage room opens off the private office in such … 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

Scott & Watson’s Saw Mill

The sawmill of Scott & Watson, of which we present a cut, is situated at the foot of the Elkhorn Mountains, about five miles west from Haines. The plant covers about five acres, including dwellings of men, blacksmith shop, &c. They manufacture common and clear lumber, and being right in the midst of a fine belt of timber, including pine, fir and tamarack. They are in a fine position to cater to their many customers. They have lately put in an entire new lot of machinery, including boiler, engine, gang engine, &c, which will place them in even a better … 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

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

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

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

Sumpter, Baker County Oregon

The counties of Oregon can boast of no place that is more solid, sturdy and assured of a brighter future than the town of Sumpter, at the head of Sumpter valley. Lying at a point where all roads converge and extend again to the great producing mines of Baker county, Sumpter is the natural gateway, the supply headquarters for a large tributary country, which last year yielded, it is safe to estimate, $2,000,000 to the gold supply of the world. Its progress, hence as it has been ever since it came into recognized existence will not, could not, be accelerated … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Asa C. Shinn

Bakerites naturally feel an increased interest In the ambitions and aspirations of a young man, who was born and tested right there in our own midst. The subject of our sketch was born at Wingville on the 18th of September 1868. After a primary course in the public schools here he attended the State University at Eugene. In October 1807, he became interested in the hardware business with H. G. McCord, and in April of this year bought his partner out. The line carried consists of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, tinware, iron steel and blacksmith supplies and is one … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John M. Laidy

One of the city fathers, and a prominent citizen of Baker City was born September 25, 1854. in our sister state, Washington. He moved to The Dalles with his parents twelve years later, and received his preliminary education there. They moved later to Umatilla, and he then attended Whitman College at Walla Walla. In 1874 he moved to Baker City, and has been interested hi the stock business more or less since. At present he is running the Depot Feed and Livery Stables, and has built up a patronage that speaks well for his personal popularity. He is also largely … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John L. Rand

Among the representative members of the Eastern Oregon bar the name of John L. Rand must be given a leading place. he having by virtue of natural ability and practical training attained to a position in his profession which many an older man might well be proud to occupy. Born October 28, 1861, at Portsmouth, N, H., he received his preliminary education in the public schools, and in 1879 entered Dartmouth college at Hanover, N. Il., graduating at the age of 21. In 188.3 he moved to Walla Walla,Wash., where be taught in Whitman College for two years. During this … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles M. Kellogg

The present mayor of Baker City, Charles M. Kellogg, is eminently qualified to occupy the highest office within the gift of her citizens. His capable direction, of municipal affairs has clearly proven his executive ability, and it is evident to all he is the right man in the right place. As an executive officer he is conservative in his ideas, truly progressive in character, every movement which he believes after thorough investigation to be for the public good meets with his hearty approval and cordial support. As a public official he is always unable, gentlemanly and approachable. Mr. Kellogg is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. F. Butcher

But few if any stand higher socially or morally in the estimation of his neighbors and friends in this commonwealth than the subject of this sketch. His name is a synonym for all that is true and honorable in a man and fellow citizen. Mr. Butcher was born in Pocahontas county, Va., December 12, 1858, and was raised in Greenbriar County, of that state, on a farm. He received his education there and also read law for a short time in the office of Gov. H. M. Matthews at Lewisburg. In 1878, he removed to Saline county, Mo., where he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of O. M. Dodson

The regular school of medicine has not among its followers in this city a more faithful and conscientious supporter than Dr. O. M. Dodson. He is a graduate of the medical Department of the Willamette University, and of Bellevue Hospital, Medical College of New York. At present he is a member of the American Medical Association and the Oregon Medical Society, and surgeon on the staff of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

Biographical Sketch of Louis Crabill

Is one of the solid business men of Baker City. He was born near Urbana. Ohio, September 18, 1848, The following year his parents moved to La Harp, Illinois, which was his, home until he was twenty-three years of age. He then removed to Nebraska, taking up a homestead in Nicholas county, of which he was one of the first settlers. In 1880, He removed to Baker City, of which he has been an honored citizen since. He has always been a lifelong democrat, and has been a member of the city council since November, 1886. He is chairman of … Read more

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon

Within the life time of children who are just fairly beginning to read and write with facility, there has sprung up from all experimental mining camp of it few hundred inhabitants, an up-to-date and rapidly upbuilding city of 7,000 people, named like the county, of which it is the natural and geographical center, in honor of one of the world’s most truly great men, Col. E. D. Baker. Baker City is not only the business and social center of the county, but is the center to which people flock, on trading or pleasure errands from hundreds of miles in almost … Read more

Mining in Baker County

Along in the 60’s there was some placer mining within the Baker gold district. In the year 1897 the yield of gold from 313 gold mines and claims, in all stages of development, was $3,000,000. It is estimated that not one-tenth of the mineral bearing districts has been even fairly prospected. Yet since the mining industry began in Baker County, the total yield of gold has been close to thirty million dollars. Quartz mining worthy the dignity of the name, has not been pursued in this county to any great extent, but for the past three of four years, find … 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