History of the Rogue River National Forest Volume 1 — 1893-1932

1899

The personnel on the Cascade Range Forest Reserve were not employed until July 1. The following is an article from "The Democratic Times" of June 8, 1899.

"N. Langell, Supervisor of Forest Reserves for Southern Oregon, will soon marshall his forces and hie himself to the Cascades. He will have 10 assistants in the work of annihilating the fires which are likely to burst forth at any time, to wit: J. R. Wick and W. G. Kropke of Ashland; J. D. Fay, Henry Ireland, and Harry Langell of Jacksonville; John Watkins of Eagle Point; Ray Wright of Klamath Falls; and three residents of Douglas County." (Probably two of these latter three were Smith C. Bartrum, and Charles J. Van Zile, Roseburg.)

Again quoting from Mr. Swenning's History of 1909 —

"W. G. Kropke entered on duty in the spring of 1899, and remained with the Service nine years, or until the spring of 1908, when he resigned in order to look after important private interests. As Mr. Kropke was somewhat familiar with forest work in Germany (his native country) he naturally took a great interest in the Service and especially so in the 'free use' business which he advocated and demonstrated to a considerable degree in his district near Ashland, Oregon. Mr. Kropke, at the time of his resignation, was about 50 years of age and serving as a Deputy Forest Ranger at $1,000 per annum.

"Smith C. Bartrum began his career in the Forestry Dept. under Supervisor Langell during the summer of 1899. Very little is known of his field work for the reason that he was stationed in territory north of what is now included in the Crater Forest. However, it appears that previous to coming to Oregon, the said Bartrum spent a good part of his younger days in the city of Chicago. After two years of unsuccessful efforts at farming in the vicinity of Roseburg, he secured an appointment as Forest Ranger.....Mr. Bartrum is still with the Service as Supervisor of the Umpqua National Forest." (Retired about 1920.)

"Chas. J. Van Zile served two seasons as a Forest Ranger during Mr. Langell's administration, his profession being that of a timber locator, and he is the originator of the 'Badger Blaze' still seen in different localities on the Crater Forest. Van Zile was first dismissed from the Service, later reinstated, and then resigned.

"Ray Wright entered on duty in the year 1899. A trapper by profession, he was necessarily an expert woodsman. however, not being exempt from the instincts of the mountain folk, his chief characteristic was an uncontrollable desire to supply his camp with fresh meat at any and all times, regardless of the State game rules and regulations. Consequently, after two seasons his efforts along this line were rewarded by a dismissal.

"John Watkins, an early settler of the pioneer days, and a typical Oregonian, has let many golden opportunities pass for acquiring cheap fertile lands in this valley, which are now valuable. He received an appointment as Forest Ranger during the summer of 1898. Watkins is a man of considerable corpulency, is extremely fond of the reminiscences of the past, and wants to tell of the strenuous life he led while in the Service. The writer calls to mind one tale which Mr. Watkins tells of his powers of endurance taxed to the utmost in the work of constructing a trail from Mosquito Swamp to Fish Lake, a distance of 10 miles, through heavy timber and dense undergrowth. As a matter of fact although diligent search has been made for this trail, it is as yet undiscovered, and therefore may be called a phantom trail. Unhappily as Watkins was possessed with a desire to frequently imbibe from the flowing bowl, as well as other peculiar characteristics, he did not long remain with the Service. Watkins gives the following in his daily diary for July 4, 1899, which will at least show that he was not unpatriotic: 'Ascended High Point, fired 14 guns, and returned to camp.' He is now living at Eagle Point, Oregon."

Nothing has been found in papers, or otherwise, regarding the work of the Forest Rangers during 1899.

The Act of June 4, 1897, appropriated $150,000 for surveys and classification of lands of the forest reserves by the U. S. Geological Survey. Henry Gannett was placed in charge. His work in addition to mapping the reserves included descriptions and estimates of the forest stands inside their boundaries and nearby, and required expert knowledge of forestry. The Geological Survey asked for help from Gifford Pinchot, Forester of the Bureau of Forestry. At first such men as Henry S. Graves, H. B. Ayers, and John B. Leiberg were assigned to assist Gannett. (1) In 1899 the Geological Survey published one of these reports entitled "Cascade Range and Ashland Reserve" by John B. Leiberg. This publication is a 492-page book with maps and pictures of the topographical features, climatic conditions, forest conditions, history of forest fires, and a forest description and estimates of the amount of timber within these two reserves. The book is in the library of the Rogue River National Forest.

(1) Page 251, Breaking New Ground — Gifford Pinchot

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1900

The following items were taken from the "Ashland Tidings" published in Ashland, Oregon. They describe the topics ably:

June 14, 1900:

THE FOREST RANGERS

"It is expected that the Forest Rangers for this district will be appointed June 15. Capt. S. E. Ormsby of Salem, Superintendent of the Cascade Forest Reserve, under direction of the Commissioner of the General Land Office, has assigned the three supervisors of the district whose duties began on the 11th. They are: W. R. Dufur for the Northern Division; Enos Dixon, Central Division; and Nat Langell of Jacksonville for the Southern Division. Each division is subdivided into districts. Superintendent Ormsby will assign the rangers to be appointed on the 15th to divisions and the supervisors will assign them to the districts."

June 18, 1900:

REQUIREMENTS OF FOREST RANGERS

"The Commissioner of the General land Office has forwarded to the Forestry Superintendent of this State a statement of the mental and other requirements of Rangers. They must know how to ride a horse, and how to take care of the animal and themselves in the woods. They should be brought up in the woods, be skilled in woodcraft and be acquainted with the various kinds of trees indigenous to the country, their habits of growth, etc., and such trees as may be profitably introduced. They are also expected to be acquainted with forestry methods, the best method of preserving new trees in forest lands, the protection of undergrowth, the best manner of securing forest growth on slopes and how to protect the growth of trees in such places, the cutting of trees particularly, such as are to be used for commercial purposes, without injuring the remaining forest growth, the best method of preventing and extinguishing fires, besides having an acquaintance with the subject of sheep and cattle grazing in forests, and the effects on the forest of such grazing — all for $60 a month, the rangers to also furnish their own horses and pay their own expenses.

"Capt. S. R. Ormsby has made his 40 appointments of Forest Rangers and the appointees have also been designated as deputy game wardens and will have power to arrest violators of the game and forestry laws and bring them into the State courts for trial and will in this way prevent many infractions of the laws and be of incalculable benefit to the State. Those named in this district and who will work under the direction of N. Langell of Jacksonville are: W. G. Kropke, J. R. Wick, Ashland; James Wheeler, Fort Klamath; S. P. Wright, Klamath Falls; Henry Ireland, Harry Langell, and J. C. McCully of Jacksonville; and I. J. Carson of Central Point."

Note: The paper does not list S. C. Bartrum of Roseburg, but it has been established that he also worked as a forest ranger in 1900 under Langell. Perhaps also Chas. J. Van Zile.

June 18, 1900:

"J. R. Wick, who has been appointed a United States Forest Ranger, has resigned his post as Chief of Police."

June 25, 1900:

"W. G. Kropke, the game warden and forest ranger, left for Pelican Bay this morning where he goes to do fire police duty on the Cascade Timber Reserve."

"J. R. Wick, the game warden and forest ranger, leaves for his station on the Ashland Reserve today."

July 9, 1900:

"J. D. Fay and Henry Ireland of Jacksonville took to the woods in the Cascades last week. They will serve as forest rangers under Supervisor Langell during the season."

Aug. 6, 1900:

"W. G. Kropke of the forest patrol, came in from his station on Four Mile Creek near Klamath Lake Saturday for a short visit and returned today."

Quoting again from Mr. Swenning's History of 1909:

"I. J. Carson, familiarly known as 'Kit Carson' possessed a peculiarly original and droll personality, his dominant traits being a special aversion to work of any kind, and a reluctance to venture from his camp. Supervisor Langell while on a tour of inspection once came to the ranger's camp at Brown's Cabin and requested Mr. Carson to accompany him to Diamond Lake, a distance of 50 miles; but only after the most earnest entreaties on the part of Langell was 'Kit' prevailed upon to go; and after traveling a distance of some 10 miles, Carson 'balked' and returned to his camp at Brown's Cabin, leaving the Supervisor to continue his journey alone.

"In the way of livestock Mr. Carson possessed while a ranger a white clouded horse which he had christened Napoleon for the reason, as he stated, that he already had the 'bony part'. Carson remained with the Service from 1900 until 1902.

"J. McCully whose home was Jacksonville, Oregon, entered on and remained with the Service from 1899 to the summer of 1903, during which summer his death occurred while he was serving as a Deputy Forest Ranger at Seven Mile Station near Ft. Klamath.

"Mr. McCully was a man of unusual ability, and but for his untimely death would undoubtedly have advanced to a high position in the Service.

"James Wheeler entered upon the strenuous life of a Forest Ranger in 1900, prior to which time he had been engaged in miscellaneous occupations, principally that of trapping during the winter months. Wheeler became so zealous in the performance of his duties that on the occasion of an Inspector investigating affairs, and the country in general, he found Mr. Wheeler hard at work — not patrolling the forest for fires, however, but work of entirely a different nature: that of assisting the ranchers in the vicinity of Ft. Klamath in taking care of their bountiful hay crops. As a matter of fact henceforth from that time Mr. Wheeler has not been connected with the Service. He is now proprietor of a saloon at Fort Klamath, Oregon."

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1901

The following items, taken from the "Ashland Tidings" describe the situation in 1901:

June 13, 1901:

FOREST RANGERS APPOINTED

"Superintendent S. B. Ormsby of the Cascade Forest Reserve on Monday received from the General Land Office at Washington the appointments of a number of forest rangers, who are under orders to go onto the Reserve on the 15th inst. The men appointed from the Southern and Ashland districts are:

"Southern Division: Nathaniel Langell, Supervisor; Smith C. Bartrum, Addison S. Ireland, Molalla; Chas. J. Van Zile, Roseburg; J. R. Wick, Ashland; James H. Wheeler, Fort Klamath; Silas R. Wright, Klamath Falls; James C. McCully, Jacksonville; and Henry Ireland, Jacksonville.

"Ashland Reserve: W. G. Kropke, Ashland."

July 1, 1901:

INSPECTED THE ASHLAND RESERVE

"Hon. N. Langell of Medford, Forest Supervisor for the Southern District of Oregon, was in Ashland Saturday, having come up to make an inspection of the Ashland Reserve and issue orders regarding its patrol during the present season. He paid a personal visit to the reserve in company with Ranger W. G. Kropke who has been assigned to guard the reserve from danger by fire during the season."

July 8, 1901:

COMMISSIONED AS GAME WARDENS

"Oregon game animals and game birds will no doubt give a sigh of relief and thanksgiving when they learn that 32 more protectors were commissioned Friday. The commissions were issued by Game Warden Quimby upon the recommendations of Forest Superintendent Ormsby to all the Forest Rangers in the State. There are 14 rangers under Supervisor Nat Langell, in the Southern Oregon District, 8 under Supervisor H. H. Dufur of the Northern District, and 7 under Supervisor Enos Dixon of the Central Division. Commissions were also issued to the Supervisors. The names of the Forest Rangers in the Southern Division who will henceforth guard the game interests of the State as well as the forest interests follow:

"S. C. Bartrum, A. S. Ireland, and Chas. J. Van Zile, Peel; Lewis H. Smith, Roseburg; Henry Ireland, James McCully, and J. R. Wick, Pelican Bay; James H. Wheeler and Burton L. Cunningham, Fort Klamath; Harry Langell, Medford; I. J. Carson, Central Point; J. Edward Thornton, Ashland; Silas R. Wright, Crystal; and W. G. Kropke, Ashland."

July 22, 1901:

KLAMATH ITEMS

"S. R. Wright was arrested last week at his camp on Cherry Creek, charged with having venison in his possession, contrary to the game laws and was tried before Justice Hatton on Tuesday. Game Warden Applegate was the complainant. The defendant was acquitted and discharged."

July 29, 1901:

"Fire ranger Kropke was kept busy the last half of last week fighting a fire that originated on Wagner Creek near the Shorty-Hope mine and spread rapidly through the thick undergrowth for a distance of 3 miles. Saturday afternoon the blaze was completely under control."

Aug. 12, 1901:

KLAMATH LAKE STEAMER

"Capt. Schoff operates a new steamer on Klamath Lake. It leaves Klamath Falls Monday and Thursday for Budd's Spring, Pelican Bay and the Agency. The Pelican Bay Stage connects with it at the Bay and the Ashland-Klamath Falls Stage at Klamath Falls. The tariff on the steamer has been put at the following rates from Klamath Falls:

Budd's Spring	$1.00	— Round trip	$1.75
Pelican Bay	1.25	— Round trip	2.25
Agency	2.00	— Round trip	3.50"

GOOD WORK OF THE FOREST RANGERS

"Excellent reports reach here of the good work the various forest rangers are doing this summer. At the Lake of the Woods where Jas. McCully and Henry Ireland are stationed, much good has been accomplished by them in extinguishing fires which, during the camping season, are usually plentiful. They have blazed a trail and cleared the logs from the north end of the Lake clear to the foot of Mt. Pitt, and have cleared the road of logs and down timber on the south end to the other side as far as Bear Gulch. By this way travel is made less difficult and the danger of spreading fires greatly averted."

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Aug. 19, 1901:

AROUND AMONG THE RANGERS

"Forest Supervisor N. Langell was in Ashland yesterday, on his return from a visit to the camps of the various forest rangers stationed in the Cascade Reserve in the Southern Oregon District, and an inspection of their work. He made the trip on horseback up Rogue River to the camp at Huckleberry Mtn., thence to the ranger camps on the South Umpqua and Diamond Lake, and from the latter point across to the station near Fort Klamath, thence to Cherry Creek (where the newly appointed ranger John Uerlings had not yet gone on duty) and to the camps at Pelican Bay, Lake of the Woods, Four Mile and Fish Lakes, and finally on to the Ashland Reserve. Mr. Langell says that the 14 rangers in his district have had an unusually large number of forest fires to contend with thus far this season which by careful work have been kept under control."

Aug. 26, 1901:

ASHLAND CREEK CANYON AFLAME

"The fiercest timber fire that has ever taken place close to Ashland has been raging along the hillsides of Ashland Creek Canyon for the past three days, and its work of destruction was only placed under control last evening. A fire, started in the large pile of sawdust near the old sawmill a short distance from town, is responsible for the work of devastation. Complaint has been made that there was liability of this old decaying pile of sawdust polluting the water supply of the City and the authorities were desirous of getting rid of its presence..........Fearing that the fire would spread onto the Ashland Reserve of one township set apart by the Federal government to protect the water supply of Ashland Creek, Forest Ranger W. G. Kropke came down Thursday and called on Mayor Neil for assistance to fight the flames.....While nearly 2,000 acres of territory was burnt over, and considerable cut and tiered wood was destroyed, so effectual was the work of Forest Ranger Kropke and the volunteers sent out from town that only a few acres of the Ashland Reserve fell prey to the devouring flames."

Oct. 10, 1901:

FOREST RANGERS CALLED IN

"The forest rangers, who have been doing such efficient service in the mountains and on the U. S. Government forest reserves during the past summer, have been called in and their labors will cease for this year October 15."

Forest Supervisor Smith C. Bartrum Cascade Forest Reserve (South) June 1, 1902 - March 1, 1907 (Roseburg) Ashland Forest Reserve June 1, 1902 - November, 1906 (Roseburg) Cascade (South) National Forest March 5, 1907 - March 14, 1908 (Roseburg)

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1902

The Forest Reserve Manual was prepared in the General Land Office under Filibert Roth, mainly by E. T. Allen, both of whom were borrowed from the Bureau of Forestry, U. S. Department of Agriculture. It was approved by the Secretary of Interior on April 12, 1902. It was a small booklet containing instructions on permitting cattle grazing on the reserves, permits for cabins, ditches, and other uses. Instructions are also found in the Manual for timber sales, mining, and other activities on the reserves. (1)

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(1) Page 264, Breaking New Ground — Gifford Pinchot

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The following item was published in the Roseburg, Oregon paper, "Roseburg Plaindealer":

June 16, 1902 (Monday):

"Our worthy townsman and for some time past, travelling representative of the Plaindealer, S. C. Bartrum, received notification Saturday from Sen. John H. Mitchell at Washington that he had been duly appointed supervisor of the Southern Division of the Cascade Forest Reserve to succeed Nat Langell, resigned, who with Supt. Ormsby strongly recommended Mr. Bartrum's appointment. This comes as a well-deserved promotion for Mr. Bartrum who has given the government efficient service for three years past in the capacity of forest ranger, which has given him much practical and valuable experience in this branch of government service, as well as thoroughly acquainting him with this division of the Cascade Reserve. . . . ."

Again quoting from the files of the "Ashland Tidings":

June 19, 1902:

FOREST RANGERS AT WORK

"S. C. (Smith) Bartrum of Roseburg has been appointed supervisor of the Southern Division of the Cascade Forest Reserve to succeed Hon. N. Langell of Jacksonville, who resigned. Mr. Bartrum has for three years past given the government efficient service as a forest ranger and has much practical experience and knowledge in that branch of the government service. Mr. Bartrum is spoken very highly of by those who are best acquainted with him and he is a gentleman whose strict integrity and faithful and conscientious discharge of duties and obligations devolving upon him have won for him much esteem.

"W. H. H. Dufur is the supervisor for the northern half of the Cascade Reserve. The Interior Department has decided upon but two supervisors this year instead of three as heretofore.

"A number of forest rangers have already been appointed and others will probably be named in the course of a few days. They are placed on the payroll at $60 per month and furnish their own supplies food, horses, etc Those whose appointments have already been announced for this district are: Samuel R. Thurston, Eugene; Robert J. Watson, Oak Creek; Addison S. Ireland, Olalla; Chas. J. Van Zile, Roseburg; Robert M. Veatch, Cottage Grove; James C. McCully, Jacksonville; Henry Ireland, Jacksonville; and Frank L. Kent, Drain."

June 22, 1902:

"Supervisor of the Southern District of the Cascade Reserve, S. C. Bartrum of Roseburg, spent the past two days with Superintendent S. B. Ormsby, receiving instructions relative to his work. His appointment was received from Washington, Monday afternoon, and was forwarded to him at Roseburg. He will receive a salary of $1,800 per annum. Mr. Bartrum succeeds Enos Dixon and Nathaniel Langell."

Aug. 18, 1902:

FOREST RESERVE INSPECTION

"S. C. Bartrum, forest supervisor of the Southern District of Oregon, arrived in Ashland Friday, on a tour of inspection of the work of the forest rangers and inspection of the forest reserve in this section of the State. He went out to the Ashland Reserve Saturday morning, and gave it a thorough looking over and returned to town late last night. Early this morning Mr. Bartrum started for Lake of the Woods and the Pelican Bay section of his work. At Fort Klamath he will take pack animals and go to Diamond Peak by way of the Old Military Trail, recross the Cascades and strike the middle fork of the Willamette River, coming out at Eugene. The forest rangers are doing splendid work in caring for the forests during the present year. Notwithstanding the long dry spell and unusually large number of campers in the mountains this year menacing the timber with their campfires, there have been very few destructive timber fires during the present summer. In fact what fires there have been of any importance have been off the forest reserve, and beyond the jurisdiction of the forest rangers. There have been few previous summer seasons when the atmosphere has been so free and clear of smoke. The fires that were raging on the south side of the Siskiyous in the Beaver, Grouse and Hungry Creek sections were extinguished by the heavy rains of last Tuesday and Thursday.

"There has been additional work for the fire rangers this year, too, for there were only twelve of them appointed in this district to cover the patrol the same territory that 28 rangers did the work on last year."

Oct. 13, 1902:

CAPT. ORMSBY WILL BE RELIEVED

"Pursuant to the general forestry policy adopted by Secretary Hitchcock, the office of Superintendent of the Cascade Reserve will be abolished December 31, when S. B. Ormsby of Salem, now superintendent, will terminate his official career. From that time the Cascade Reserve will be in charge of the Forest Supervisors. The department finds the office of Superintendent superfluous and tending to retard the expedition of public business. Heretofore Supervisors have had to act through the Superintendent; hereafter each will act independently. It was first intended to discontinue the superintendency at once, but as Ormsby is making several examinations, particularly with regard to the proposed Blue Mountain Reserve, a continuance was granted until the close of the year. In discontinuing his services, the department says there is nothing whatever against Ormsby, as his record has been fairly efficient."

Oct. 14, 1902:

FIRE RANGERS RECALLED

"The fire rangers who have been doing such efficient work this summer on the United States forest reserves in Southern Oregon have been called in, their work to cease October 15.

"Ranger Kropke, of the Ashland Reserve, had a fierce blaze to fight Saturday at the head of Sugar Pine Gulch on the edge of the reserve. After five hours of the hardest kind of work, the progress of the flames was arrested and further damage averted."

1903

The following two letters are reproduced here, the first to show how the work was classified and the second to indicate the type of instructions given to the field force by those in charge in Washington, D. C.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
General Land Office

Roseburg Oregon March 13, 1903,

Mr. HENRY IRELAND
Lowell Oregon,

Sir;— The following is the kind of work that comes under the different classes, in the recapitulation of forest rangers Monthly service reports, some is being classed under the wrong head, this will show just what each class calls for.

Very respectfully,
/s/ S. C. BARTRUM
General Land Office

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
General Land Office

Washington, D.C., June 2, 1903

Forest Officers.

Gentlemen:

The season is now at hand when your special attention should be directed against forest fires, owing to the dry condition of your territory. You are urgently requested to give this matter your best thought and attention, and that you so systematize the work of your rangers that the danger may be reduced to the minimum. The patrol service should be so organized that every threatened portion of your territory may come under the supervision of your rangers, as it is well understood that if a fire is quickly discovered and attacked immediately by a ranger, it can be extinguished by him easier than with the assistance of fifty men two or three days later.

During last season reports relative to forest fires received from the forest officers were very encouraging, generally speaking, but in some cases gross neglect of duty must have prevented fires from being discovered. It is not understood why forest fires should get away from the rangers, or rather why they do not find them and extinguish them more promptly. It seems reasonable that a ranger provided with a saddle horse and constantly on the move, as is his duty, should discover a fire before it gains much headway. This statement is made knowing that some of the rangers' districts are extremely large.

You should know personally the rangers serving under you, and also know that they are performing their duties as such officers. You cannot to earnestly impress upon the rangers the necessity for a strict watch for forest fires during the danger season. You must not confine your ranger force too closely to cutting trails or attending to other business to the subordination of the fire question. Any portion of your reserve that is especially threatened by fire, should be watched thoroughly; you should follow closely the instructions relative to this matter contained in the Forest Reserve Manual, and each ranger should be directed to carefully read the same; and your patrol service should be arranged in accordance with the instructions in the circular relative to said service, approved by the Secretary September 5, 1902. Copy of this circular should be furnished to each of your rangers. A supply will be forwarded upon application.

As to the expense connected with forest fires, you are advised as follows: When absolutely necessary, the rangers should engage emergency help at once, notifying the supervisor, who should give the case such personal attention as seems to be required, and arrange with the men for their pay, charging the expense in his (the supervisor's) account. It would seem, however, that if the ranger does his duty, fires would be discovered so quickly that it would seldom be necessary for him to employ extra men.

You must understand that it is part of your duty to insist that parties who have been granted a permit within your reserve do all in their power to prevent forest fires, and also to aid in extinguishing same. It is not only the party who holds the permit in his name who must render service when called upon, but any one employed by the holder of the permit in question, such as herders and packers, etc. You, as well as your rangers, are not only at liberty to call upon cattle and sheep men holding permits to graze stock within your reserve, but are, by the direction of the Department, required to do so. Such stock men are compelled under penalty of having their permits revoked, to assist in extinguishing forest fires when called upon, without compensation. Of course, it is not practicable to spend considerable time searching for stock men holding permits to assist at fires, but when they are in the vicinity of a fire it is their duty to render any assistance possible.

Forest supervisors and rangers should so educate the people living within and near the reserve that they will understand the protection afforded the reserve is for their benefit more than it is for the benefit of the Government, and all services rendered by them are for their own good and should be cheerfully given without the idea of compensation. All transients and others entering the forest reserves should be cheerfully and politely informed concerning the rules and regulations governing camp fires; they should also be cautioned not to leave a camp without they are positive that the same has been extinguished.

Your rangers should be supplied with a liberal number of fire posters, and instructed to post same in conspicuous places and to see that they remain intact. It is believed that the force of rangers allotted to the different reserves for the coming season will be sufficient to afford protection against fires. However, each supervisor should have in mind men they can immediately call upon to act as rangers, should something unforseen cause additional assistance to be necessary. Such rangers can be appointed without presenting a formal application, to avoid delay in getting them into the field. It is suggested, however, that persons available for emergency service, as above indicated, be requested to forward an application, and the same will be filed in this office and considered upon request of the supervisor.

As above advised, the reports relative to fires during the past season indicate vigilance and good work on the part of forest reserve officers, but a decided improvement is expected the present season on every reserve. It is not unreasonable to look for this improvement when it is considered that all the reserves are in charge of supervisors and rangers should be able to at once render effective service under the immediate supervision of rangers who have been retained throughout the year.

When reporting fires to this office you should be careful to mention in which ranger's district said fire originated. If it was not discovered promptly by the ranger in charge of the district, the matter should be looked into, and the cause as to why it was not discovered be reported to this office. In the absence of a satisfactory explanation, supervisors and rangers will be held personally responsible for any fire that is allowed to escape.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.

Very respectfully,

/s/ J.H. Fimple
Acting Commissioner.

NOTE: — Copy of this circular should be furnished to each forest ranger.....

News items from "Ashland Tidings" follows:

March 5, 1903:

SHEEP OWNERS ARE ENJOINED

Decision by Judge Hawley at San Francisco Will Perpetually Prohibit Sheep Men From Pasturing Their Flocks on Government Forest Reserves — Decision Affects Many States

Judge Hawley, sitting on the bench of the United States Court of Appeals at San Francisco, on Monday, handed down a decision in which the sheep men of Oregon are greatly affected. In effect it perpetually enjoins them from pasturing their flocks on forest reserves without & special permit approved by the Secretary of the Interior.

The Secretary of the Interior made a rule in December, 1897, which stated that the pasturing of sheep and goats on public lands in the forest reservations was prohibited. The regulation further provided that a violation of the rule carried with it a penalty of a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment not to exceed six months.

The sheep men of Washington, California, Arizona, and a number of other sections violated the rule and were consequently arrested and tried in various United States district courts. Without exception these courts held that the regulation was unconstitutional and void, because the Secretary of the Interior had trespassed on the legislative function in promulgating such a rule, and that only Congress had the power to pass such a law.

The sheep men consequently overran these reserves, as pasturage there was much better than in other localities. Not only did the sheep destroy the grass by cropping it to the roots, but they also killed the young trees by stripping them of their foliage.

As the sheep men could not be prosecuted criminally, United States District Attorney Woodworth, for the northern district of California, hit upon the idea of instituting a civil suit against them and thus perpetually enjoining them from allowing their sheep on the reserves.

A writ of injunction was granted last August by Judge Beatty restraining sheep men from pasturing their herds on government reservations, as it was declared that the animals were devastating them. In the face of this order, a number of owners pastured their flocks on the Stanislaus Forest Reservation and four of them were arrested, convicted and fined $100, or sentenced to remain in prison until such fine was paid. They paid their fines but appealed their cases. Sheep men everywhere became interested. The summary action of the arrest of the four herders had the effect of causing all sheep men to remove their flocks from the reserves, but united them in fighting the case. The decision Monday is final. By its provisions no sheep can be pastured on reserves without the permission of the commissioner of the general land office, approved by the Secretary of Interior.

March 23, 1903:

ALLOTING GRAZING LANDS ON RESERVE

Forest Supervisor S. C. Bartrum, who is now in Ashland, is busily engaged in making allotments of grazing lands in the southern division of the Cascade Reserve to stockmen. Permits will be issued for 103,000 sheep and 7,500 horses and cattle to graze on this portion of the reserve the ensuing season, and no more. There are already applications for 50,000 more sheep than can be accomodated.

March 26, 1903:

INVESTIGATING TIMBER POACHING

Frank Grygli, special agent of the general land office, S. C. Bartrum, forest supervisor, accompanied by W. G. Kropke, of the forest ranger service, spent several days the first of the week in a careful investigation of the alleged depredations made by woodcutters on the Ashland forest reserve. While the reports of their findings are not made public it is known that they discovered evidences of even greater encroachments upon the reserve than had been reported. Not only has damage been done in the way of the destruction of much timber but the leavings of the woodcutters of limbs and brush would be a great menace to the adjacent forests in case of fire. Some of the principal poachers after marketing their wood left for pastures new and the government has no recourse. The depredations take place almost altogether in the winter time and it is expected that Supervisor Bartrum will recommend that a ranger be kept on duty during the winter months in the Ashland reserve the same as in portions of the Cascade reserve.

June 8, 1903:

INSPECTING PROPOSED RESERVE

Inspector of Forest Reserves is Now Visiting the Proposed Forest Reserve in Josephine, Curry and Coos Counties Against Which Such Strong Protest Has Been Filed

H. D. Langille, forest reserve inspector, and his assistant, Mr. Cox, arrived at Grants Pass, Friday, for the purpose of inspecting the public lands which have been withdrawn from entry in Josephine, Coos and Curry counties, with the view of the creation by the Interior Department of another forest reserve to be known as the Rogue river reserve. Strong protest has been filed against the proposed reserve which includes a large part of the public lands of Josephine county and more than half of the territory of Curry county. The Oregon delegation in Congress has joined in the protest against this proposed move by Secretary Hitchcock which it is claimed by the people of the counties affected will greatly militate against their development. The forest reserve officials meet with the Board of Trade of Grants Pass Friday evening to talk over the situation.

GRAZING SHEEP ON RESERVE

The Secretary of the Interior has issued permits for grazing 103,000 sheep within the southern division of the Cascade forest reserve during the coming season.

June 22, 1903:

THE ASHLAND FOREST RESERVE

Supervisor Bartrum Looking After Trespassers on the Reserve — Proposal to Cut Firebreak Around the North and East Side for a Distance of About Eleven Miles

S. C. Bartrum, the supervisor of the southern district of the Cascade Forest Reserve, including the Ashland reserve, who has been in the city for several days on official business, left this morning for a trip across the Cascade reserve to Pelican Bay, Fort Klamath and along the line.

There are several cases of trespassing on the timber of the Ashland reserve by woodcutters pending and Mr. Bartrum has been here looking up the evidence and also investigating reports that have been made to him with the view of filing additional informations. It is proposed to strictly enforce the law against the illegal cutting of timber on the reserve. Orders to this effect have been issued to the forestry officials in charge, and wood poachers will do well to take warning.

The government is taking an especial interest in the Ashland forest reserve and it is proposed on account of its size and adaptability generally to make it in a measure a model reserve. A recommendation has recently been made for the cutting of a firebreak around the north and east sides of the reserve for a distance of about 11 or 12 miles. It is proposed to have the timber and brush cut clean for a sufficient width to offer a sure break against the encroachment of possible forest fires upon the timber within the reserve. The timber that it will be necessary to cut down in order to do this the government will sell in the tree to the highest bidder who will be requested to clear up the ground for the prescribed width as he removes the timber. To make an investigation and report upon the best way to carry out this scheme of the forestry department was also one of the objects of Mr. Bartrum's visit to Ashland.

Aug. 3, 1903:

NOTES FROM KLAMATH COUNTY

Henry Ireland, a forest ranger from Jacksonville, who with his wife and two children have been camped in the vicinity of Pelican Bay, came down on the steamer Alma Sunday evening to obtain medical attention for his eight-year-old son, who had been ill for some time.

Aug. 27, 1903:

JAMES C. McCULLY IS DEAD

Died Sunday, August 16, 1903.

Cause of death not given. Found in his cabin unconscious. Never recovered.

September 10, 1903:

THROUGH THE FOREST RESERVE

Supervisor S. C. Bartrum Makes Trip Through Cascade and Ashland Reserves From State Line to McKenzie River On General Inspection Tour of His District

S. C. Bartrum, Forest Supervisor for the Southern Division of the Cascade Range and Ashland Forest Reserves, has just completed a trip through his entire division, from the California line to the McKenzie River. This constitutes the territory of the Cascade Reserve which is under Mr. Bartrum's supervision. This trip was made for the purpose of ascertaining actual conditions, as nearly as practicable, relative to the grazing possibilities of this large reserve.

The grazing of live stock within the Forest Reserve limits is of very great importance to the stock interests of the state of Oregon. From Mr. Bartrum's examination he finds the live stock, which are being grazed within Mr. Bartrum's division is approximately 7000, while the sheep number 103,000. There is at present very little danger of forest fires within the reserve, owing to the very efficient system of patrolling the reserve under the management of the supervisor. The greatest care has been exercised in selecting a corps of rangers who, although they have been assigned districts far too large, have nevertheless done their work in the most satisfactory manner. The entire division has been sub-divided by Mr. Bartrum into three subdivisions over each of which there is in charge a ranger of the second class. There is also one ranger of the first class — Mr. A. S. Ireland whose duty it is, to supervise the entire division in the absence of the Supervisor, and also at all times to act as assistant to the Supervisor.

The entire absence of smoke from the atmosphere this season is an evidence of the good work of the Forest Reserve service, and is duly appreciated by the people of Southern Oregon.

Residents within the reserve limits all seem to be in comfortable and thriving circumstances. There has been some antagonism heretofore, by those residing within the reserve, but this is being rapidly dispelled as the people become better advised of their privileges by the rangers, and become more familiar with the working of the reserve system. They are now taking more advantage of the privileges granted to them by the department.

1904

April 24, 1904:

KROPKE - MOREY

William G. Kropke, of Ashland, end Grace E. Morey, of Oakland, California.

Marriage license secured April 22, 1904.

Date of marriage not given.

June 13, 1904:

INSPECTING THE RESERVE

Inspector Langille of the Federal Bureau of Forestry (Department of Agriculture) and Supervisor S. C. Bartrum of Roseburg spent a day or two last week looking over the Ashland Reserve. They carefully inspected W. G. Kropke's work in clearing a fire break around the southern and eastern boundaries of the reserve and were pleased with the progress made and the plans now being followed in permanently protecting the lands of the reserve from inroads by forest fires.

August 14, 1904:

TO PROTECT ASHLAND RESERVE

Supervisor Bartrum Here on Business Connected with Improvements on Ashland Forest Reserve — Anxious to See Firebreak Around Reserve Completed at Once

S. C. Bartrum, the federal forest reserve supervisor, is registered at the Hotel Oregon while in Ashland for a few days on official business connected with the Ashland Forest Reserve. Mr. Bartrum's supervision extends over the southern division of the big Cascade Reserve and he says his territory is as yet entirely free from any devastation by forest fires this season. The smoke that fills so many of the valleys now comes from fires in the Coast mountains.

In an interview with a Tidings representative Mr. Bartrum said he had come to Ashland for the purpose of making an examination and securing data that will assist him to report to the government the necessity for the immediate completion of the fire break now in course of construction and which his subordinates are endeavoring to establish under very difficult conditions in the Ashland Forest Reserve. The importance of this reserve to the City of Ashland and its water supply is well understood by Mr. Bartrum and he is anxious to secure information and encouragement from the city to assist him in furthering his plans for its permanent improvement which call for a special appropriation by the government.

The establishment of a fire break on the north and east sides of this reserve was approved and actual work upon it begun about eight months ago under the immediate charge of Forest Ranger W. G. Kropke. It was thought at first that this work could be accomplished through the exercise of the regulations for the free use of timber and through the sale of timber from the reserve. Mr. Bartrum says that to depend entirely on these methods of procedure it will take an indefinite time to complete the work and he believes that the importance of the reserve and the surrounding prevalent conditions make the necessity of better protection for it from fire imperative and the need for the immediate completion of the fire break urgent. There are private timber lands contiguous to the reserve, he says, particularly to the east and north, that are being rapidly denuded in the usual wasteful way, and the tops, remnants, brush and rubbish are left in a veritable tangled slash, sure to result ultimately in their destruction by fire, greatly endangering the reserve.

Sept. 1, 1904 (Thurs.):

Forest Ranger Kropke and seven men fought and controlled the 150-acre forest fire which burned in the Ashland Forest Reserve last week.

Dec. 19, 1904 (Mon.):

AFFECTS FOREST RANGERS

The President issued an order Saturday placing under Civil Service rules all positions in the Forest Reserve Corps of the General Land Office. This will affect 538 employees of whom only 25 are employed in Washington. The positions brought into the classified service are principally Forest Rangers, Forest Supervisors, Superintendents, and Forest Inspectors.

Nov. 7, 1904:

GREATEST SUGAR PINE FOREST IN THE WORLD

The greatest forest of sugar pine in the world is that of the Upper Rogue, Southern Oregon. It is embraced by the 250 square miles of the Upper Rogue Forest Reserve, and adjoins the Crater Lake Park Reserve, making practically one vast reserve of 500 square miles, divided into districts and each district patrolled through the summer season by Uncle Sam's vigilant rangers, whose duty it is to keep down fires and protect the trees.

The giant trees of this great reserve tower 200 and 300 feet high and are excelled only by the famous redwoods of California. While the sugar pine predominates, there are also in this forest many firs, spruce, cedars and on the higher altitudes hemlocks. The rangers are appointed by the general government, and take their posts in the woods early in May, remaining until the arrival of the winter rains. Warning signs are posted conspicuously along roads, trails and by camping places, cautioning campers and hunters against leaving campfires burning or smoldering. A camper or hunter who carelessly or purposely leaves a campfire smoldering or burning is liable to a fine of $250, and each ranger, as a governmental officer, has full power to arrest all violators of the forest-reserve rules. Fallen wood and broken boughs, or which there is an abundance, can be freely used for camp fires, but no tree can be cut in the reserve without a permit from the ranger of the district in which it is located.

The purpose of forest preservation is, primarily, for the benefit of future generations, and in setting aside the forests of the Upper Rogue the government has placed a guarding hand of as valuable belt of timber as the world contains. Among all the trees of the great Northwest forests the sugar pine is supreme in point of value and usefulness. Among the pines its wood ranks best. In the qualities of lightness, durability and strength it is superior to the celebrated and now extinct white pine of the Eastern states. For finishing, sash and door material sugar pine is unsurpassed.