native town, and called Ashland Mills on account of the saw and flouring mills. The town was known as Ashland Mills for many years.
The first school in the Rogue River Valley was taught by Mrs. McCully in Jacksonville, and was a subscription school.
The first white child born in the Rogue River valley was Walter Gore, son of a pioneer of 1852, born on December 3rd 1852.
In 1853 the Indians began war on the white settlers, but were soon subdued and a treaty made with them at Table Rock. Stockades were built at different places in the valley, for the protection of the settlers. Fort Lane was built in 1853-4 on a hill facing Table Rock and occupied by regular troops for three years. The old site is on a hill west of some old buildings at Tolo and south of Gold Ray Dam.
In 1853 many immigrants came into the valley; many buildings were erected, but as all supplies had to be brought from Crescent City by pack animals, not a pane of glass could be had that year for window lights; cotton cloth stretched over the openings was used instead.
During the spring steps were taken to found a Methodist church in Jacksonville. The pastor was Rev. Joseph S. Smith. The church was built and used jointly by Methodists and Presbyterians for many years.
The town of Phoenix was founded in 1854, the land being donated by Samuel Culver, whose old dwelling still stands by the roadside. The town was named originally Gasburg.
The first newspaper printed in southern Oregon was called "The Table Rock Sentinel", printed in 1855. The editor was G. W. T'Vault.
Jackson county in 1855 was the richest and most populous county in Oregon. Rut in that year the Indians again began war. The 9th of October has been called the most eventful day in the history of southern Oregon, for on that day nearly twenty people were murdered by the Indians and their homes
