150 years ago
1874
Road to Newport: Leaving your city early on Monday last, wrapped in the hurried embrace of a “Webfoot” shower, we merrily danced over the road toward Elk City, on James E. Dixon’s prompt and praiseworthy stage line, behind a pair of handsome goers, over the back of which Cyrus Powers drew the “ribbons” in the most graceful attitudes of the art. The morning sun soon dispelled the dark and gloomy mist that had sufficed to “lay the dust,” and our ride was indeed a delightful one. We picked up an item or two on the road, and here string our beads on the thread of a brief narrative of the trip.
Reaching Philomath, we found those enterprising merchants, Shipley & Henkle, wide awake, and learned that their new seventy-four foot well, lately bored by Mr. Creighton, has a depth of 60 feet of water in it. They will supply it with a force pump, when it will prove a source of great convenience to their customers.
A few miles farther on we met a number of Indians, from whom we learned that twenty five of their fellows on the Siletz Reservation had been employed to go to Eugene City to gather hopes, at the rate of 50 cents per bushel.
In Blodgett’s valley we were met with a heavy storm of rain and hail, which, fortunately, was of short duration.
Standing on “Wiley Norton’s Hill,” we cast our eye backward over the route we had come, and beheld a panorama of hill and dale, prairie and forest, unsurpassed for picturesqueness and beauty by anything in the State. On one hand Blodgett’s valley lay at our feet, emerald and golden, with its crops of flax and wheat; in front of us stretched the almost interminable and insurmountable Coast mountains, while to our left Mary’s Peak lifted her hoary head among hanging clouds. The whole journey was perfectly serene, save an accident on Elk mountain. … At 8 p.m., we arrived at Elk, tired and exhausted by the toil incurred by the mishap; but were heartily welcomed by our host and hostess, Jas. E. Dixon and wife. … The steamer “Molly” arrived at 9 o’clock this evening, and will leave for Newport tomorrow at noon. We shall take passage on her, and, if no other “accident” happens, you will next hear from us beside the foaming billows of Old Neptune. — R.G.H. (Published Sept. 11, 1874, in the Weekly Corvallis Gazette).
125 years ago
1899
Horse vs. train: A little misunderstanding arose last Tuesday between Samp Henderson and his unruly equine, as to whether the latter should pass a moving train or not, and the horse got the better of the argument. Just as the C&E passenger was thundering west, Samp was jogging east and had reached a point about a mile and a half beyond Philomath. His steed determined to accept the locomotive’s seeming challenge for a race, but in the hurried turn which it made at the pole, Samp was spilled out and the buggy was upset. The contest was a close one, but as Mr. Nag crossed the tape driverless the race was given to the locomotive. (Published Sept. 15, 1899, in the Corvallis Union-Gazette).
100 years ago
1924
Quiet marriage: In the presence of immediate relatives and intimate friends, Miss Hildred Brown and Carroll Newth were quietly united in marriage at the home of the bride’s parents on Tuesday evening, September 9th. The bride and bridegroom are both well known in Philomath and vicinity. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Brown and the groom is the son of Mrs. C.H. Newth, all of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Newth will make their home at Blodgett, the former having a position teaching the Noise school. Mr. Newth was a member of the ’24 graduating class of Philomath high school. (Published Sept. 13, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
75 years ago
1949
Nudist camp: American Sun Bathers association, group No. 327, has purchased a 169-acre camp site near Philomath, according to Walter Hyde, Philomath member of the group. The site is a one-time sheep ranch on the upper section of Evergreen road, 3-1/2 miles south of Philomath. The site includes a natural amphitheater and an unsurpassed view of Mary’s peak. One hundred acres are cleared for cabins and a lodge. The group intends to begin development of the area immediately. Plans include a swimming pool with heated water. Hopes are to stage a convention of nudists in 1953. The convention for 1950 is scheduled for Squaw Creek mountain near Estacada, Or. Hyde said group 327 has 30 members with several applications pending from the Corvallis and Philomath areas. The group was organized three years ago. The colony site was purchased for $3,500. (Published Sept. 10, 1949, in the Oregonian, Portland).
40 years ago
1984
Warriors football: Philomath 34, Elmira 12. Heath Marshall gained 189 yards in 14 carries and scored two TDs. The Warriors, locked in a 6-6 halftime score, outscored the Falcons 28-6 in the second half and gained 317 of their 361 rushing yards in the last two quarters. (Published Sept. 15, 1984, in the Statesman-Journal, Salem).
Election preview: Philomath plans an April 30 school closure, 28 days before the scheduled end of the school year, if voters reject a $479,118 operating levy. The proposed budget is actually less than the current budget, following two rounds of cuts. However, the levy is up because timber revenue has fallen off sharply. The current tax rate, $11.30 per $1,000 of assessed value, would go to an estimated $12.91 if the levy passes, said Superintendent Lee Edwards. (Published Sept. 16, 1984, in the Statesman-Journal, Salem).