As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
November 24, 2021
The headline in the June 12, 1914, Oregonian screamed "$300,000 is loss by Fire at Bandon." The subhead adds: "Three Business Blocks Burned, 30 Firms Without Quarters, Entire District Menaced. Hospital Inmates Saved."
The (first photo) was taken at 6 a.m. the same morning of what was left of First Street.
Bandon fire, 1914
Through the smoke, you can see the Estabrook Line building, on the waterfront, which is just east of where the Port's Old Town Marketplace building is today on what was then known as Bandon Avenue. (By the way, when the article talks about hospital inmates, I am pretty sure we would know them as patients).
Here's the story: "A fire which originated here in the L. & E. Restaurant (in the Dyer building) at 4:15 a.m. today destroyed practically three blocks of business houses and rendered 30 firms without quarters. The flames accomplished their destruction in the short time of two hours, being fanned by a fairly strong northwest wind.
"Among the buildings destroyed was the Bandon Hospital, which had nine inmates, all of whom were saved.
"The destruction of the entire business section of the city was prevented only by three concrete buildings, past which the flames could not communicate. Two of these were one block east of the restaurant, the other on the street to the east."
I tried to figure out what three concrete buildings the article is talking about, and I am sure one was the First National Bank (now called the Masonic) building, which had only been built a short time earlier. Another concrete building that survived the 1936 Fire was the Stephan (Seaside Bakery) building (now the home of Cranberry Sweets) but it was not built until late 1914.
"Dynamite was used and one building was blown up, to no avail. The fire leaped across one street and made a steady march until it had burned every building within its reach.
"The damage is estimated at $300,000 with approximately $50,000 insurance."
Note the number of men on top of the buildings at the east end of the street trying to save them. You can see merchandise in the street which had been removed from the shops on both sides of the street as no one knew how far west the flames would travel.
"The tug Klihyam (second photo) did service from the waterfront and saved all the large shipping warehouses next to the harbor (like the Estabrook Line building). No lives were lost and only a few minor accidents happened. The buildings burned were owned by local people mostly."
Tug Klihyam, 1914
Included among those burned were two residences, belonging to George Erdman and Thomas Anderson. Erdman not only lost his home and business in the 1914 fire, but he had rebuilt and again lost his home and business in the 1936 Fire. But he rebuilt what became Erdman's City Market (now the Lloyd's Cafe building). He died not long after the Fire, and the business was run by his wife, Annie, daughter, Georgia (later Inman) and son, Melvin.
"A large number of professional men, including Drs. Sorenson, Houston, Leep and others lost all their office sundries and rooming-houses in the devastated area were burned."
According to historian Dow Beckham, the City had condemned the Dyer Building as a firetrap, yet failed to close down the restaurant operating in the building. About midnight, June 10, a blaze started in the old chimney. The firemen extinguished the fire, but sometime about three in the morning, the fire broke out and consumed the restaurant. And by daylight, the Averill addition and Bandon's oldest business houses lay in ruins.
Just a little over two weeks later, The Wigwam, described as one of Bandon's popular resorts, was totally destroyed by fire.
"When the blaze was discovered it had gained such headway that the owner E. Lewin and family barely escaped with their lives," said the Bandon Recorder.
"As soon as the fire was discovered the alarm was turned in, but there was no water or hydrant near the place, so nothing could be done to save it.
"It seems the old adage of never one fire, but we must have three, has held good in Bandon, as it has been only a little over two weeks since the big fire, and then a small house burned in the east end of town a few days later, and now comes the Wigwam. It is certainly to be hoped that the proverbial three will suffice and that it will be a long time before Bandon is visited with another conflagration."
Actually it was 22 years later that Bandon was almost completely destroyed in the September 1936 Fire.
The third picture I am sharing this week was taken in June of 1966 when Bandon area lumberman Ken Rogge, right, was sharing his knowledge with Nils Lau, who had come from his home in Hamburg, Germany, to study the potential and uses of Douglas Fir and Douglas Fir products.
Ken Rogge and Nils Lau, 1966
Years later, Lau returned to Bandon where he opened Oregon Overseas Timber in 1983. Lau, the company's founder, purchased Charlie Redmon's old hangar next to the Bandon Airport in which he started the business remanufacturing Douglas Fir for the European markets.
Since then the company has further expanded to 24 acres, adding various sawmills, sorting chains, and chopping building, as well as dry kilns.
His son, Ulrich Lau, is CEO, with Jim Curran as mill manager.
Their green tree logo has become a symbol of quality throughout the world.
Ken Rogge was well known for his honesty and fairness, according to historian Dow Beckham, who said, "the lumber industry and Coos County workers suffered a great loss when Ken Rogge died Sept. 20, 1986." He was 69 years old.
* * *
City Manager Dan Chandler announced last week that he had hired a new library director. Chris Kingsbury will be joining the City on Jan. 1. She is from rural Shasta County, Calif., and works for the library system in nearby Tehama County.
She has a master's degree in library science and runs children's programs for three libraries. She taught at the community college level for 17 years and also worked in law enforcement.
Chandler said the City had a very good field of applicants and interviewed two.
* * *
The annual Bandon's Night of 10,000 Lights, sponsored by the Greater Bandon Association and the Chamber of Commerce, is set for kickoff Saturday, Nov. 27.
People can bring their children to the Boardwalk picnic shelter between 3 and 5 to see Santa; the Nog Walk and Cider Stroll will also be held from 3 to 5, with glasses and a map for $10. The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 at the Visitor Center.
Nov. 27 is also Small Business Saturday and people are urged to shop locally.
* * *
Friends of Bandon cheese maker Brad Sinko, who is undergoing cancer treatment, have started a fund-raising campaign to assist he and his family.
Son of Joe and Karen Sinko and husband of Sarah, Brad has achieved a national and even international reputation as Face Rock Creamery's cheese maker ... who kept the Bandon Cheese dream alive.
"He is not one to ask for help, but we are a community that steps in when we see one of our own is in need," said MaryCarol Roberson. "We thought about doing a traditional fundraiser but Covid is making that hard. Instead, we are asking our community to lend a helping hand by making a donation. No party, no auction, no hard sell."
There are two ways to support Brad. People can send a donation to Sinko Strong, c/o Umpqua Bandon, PO Box 2176, Bandon, OR 97411, or they can donate through a Go Fund Me account set up in his name.
* * *
I was sorry to learn that Stan Denys, husband of Devon Matsuda, died recently at the age of 69. Stan and Devon moved to Bandon in 2004 and opened Devon's Boutique, which is a thriving business at the west end of Second Street in Old Town.
* * *
BHS graduate and long-time Gold Beach businessman, and most recently author, Bo Shindler, was recently honored for his book, With Barely Two Nickels to Rub Together, a compelling story about boat builders Ed Freeman and his son Dugie.
His book was named the Best Non-Fiction History book for 2021 by the American Book Fest.
Kerry Tymchuk, executive director of the Oregon Historical Society, called the 350 page book with 280 photographs and illustrations, "a true coffee table book that will provide many hours of enjoyment."
It is truly one of the nicest books in my collection.
* * *
City Manager Dan Chandler and I authored a letter to the director of the Oregon Department of Transportation concerning the status of the 9th Street/Highway 101 crosswalk expressing our frustration over the delays in the long-planned crosswalk.
We outlined what has happened at the crosswalk in recent years, and the fact that "in the meantime, we have schoolchildren grabbing flags and attempting to run across this five-lane highway completely exposed and unprotected.
"We understand that projects take time and that there can be unexpected delays. However, we also know that what gets done when is a question of priorities.
"The City of Bandon requests that ODOT prioritize this important project, get it done soon, and that you provide the City with a firm date for completion. It is a matter of time before a tragedy happens."
I also sent the letter to our state senator and state representative.
I did receive a call two days later from one of the engineers, who has been working on the project. He said that the long delays in getting the rights of way secured had ended in October, and promised that he would send me a letter to let us know when we might expect to have the project finished.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
November 17, 2021
I am using all three of this week's pictures to illustrate a story I found in the Sept. 20, 1923, Western World headlined: "Local Progress Writer Sees." A Marshfield man had visited Bandon and his article was first printed in the Coos Bay Times.
"Jack Guyton who has returned from a trip to Bandon reports an unusual era of home and business block building there he says: 'Bandon right now is showing much activity. A number of new houses are being built. On Ocean Drive especially are some very fine new homes. These homes face the ocean and command beautiful marine views and the street will be one of the most unique and attractive residence sections on the coast. Property which is located on the cliff overlooking the ocean has been changing hands and the value has increased as that part of the city is being built up.
" 'The city has a fine new garage, a beautiful new picture house and other improvements have been made. The wharves are piled high with cedar (first photo) which is shipped out from Bandon and the booms near the city are filled with cedar logs. Many men are employed in the cedar business hauling from the different camps and handling the product in the city.
Cedar
" 'Two vessels are taking lumber from the Moore mill, two from Prosper mill and several others are busy with cedar transportation. A large number of cedar camps are located south of Bandon and the logs are hauled to the city for shipping.
" 'The Nestles Food condensery is operating and handling a large amount of milk, which is bought to Bandon on river boats (second photo) and also by truck. Employment is easy for men to find. In fact it is difficult to get men, and the place shows more real business activity than probably any time for a number of years past. (Note the milk cans on the Dora, a steam sternwheeler built by the Herman Brothers at Randolph in 1910 and later drydocked and abandoned at Hap Ward's ranch in 1929.)
Dora
" 'The Auto camps (third photo) have been visited by many this year; the Bandon beach has been popular with people from the interior and the number of autos seen in Bandon is greater than ever before. During the past summer Bandon has not enjoyed the through tourist business which it will get on account of the roads not being finished between Bandon and Coquille. It is highly important that some road be opened up the coast and go to Coquille and Coos Bay and out to Roseburg. The one link between Coquille and Bandon is all that is missing to put both Bandon and Coos Bay on a through tourist route. (Pictured is the Bennett's Cottage Camp, which was located on the northwest corner of 11th Street at Beach Loop. It was also known as the Machon Cottages. The rock entryway, which can be seen in this picture north of the sign, is all that remains of these cottages today.)
Bennett's Cottage Camp
" 'The Roosevelt highway between Bandon and the county seat will not be finished for another year. The North Bank road will be completed by spring as far as the Hanly place. It is now suggested that a ferry could be put in at that point and tourists could take the highway route to the ferry and then cross over to the North Bank road, thus making it possible to get through in order to continue north by way of Roseburg.
" 'Bandon has a live commercial club which is urging the proposed union high school, following closely the road development and taking up other matters of importance to the community. The business men seem greatly encouraged and everything considered, Bandon has prospects of a bright year ahead.
" 'In addition to what is now being done, the port commission plans asking for a survey for government aid in jetty construction and the members are awaiting the report of the government engineer before buying a new suction dredge.' "
* * *
Coast Community Health Clinic CEO Linda Maxon called Thursday morning .... needing help in trying to get contact info for a Rite Aid regional manager to talk about the huge problem created when the local Rite Aid closed its pharmacy because of a medical emergency with the pharmacist.
The pharmacy had already been closed several days, and people were flocking into Coast's pharmacy seeking help in filling their much-needed prescriptions.
Because of the huge overload in the number of scripts, Coast's pharmacy department was finding it hard to keep up, and people were getting angry and frustrated, and taking it out on the Coast employees.
I was able to contact the assistant manager at the local Rite Aid Thursday morning, who said that at that moment, the pharmacy was open, until 1 p.m., and was also to be open the next day until noon. But they were backed up at least five days.
Later, Linda was able to talk with the retail manager of Rite Aid, and it was decided that they would provide a cashier for Coast, so that would at least take some of the pressure off as they tried to provide the much-needed assistance for people desperately seeking their prescriptions.
The Rite Aid employee I spoke with assured me that Rite Aid had no plans to close their pharmacy, but at present they, like so many other pharmacies across the country, are short handed and when an emergency occurs, it's difficult to fill the position.
In the meantime, Coast is doing what it can to fill the urgent need ....
* * *
Coos County Clerk Debbie Heller has announced that she will retire Dec. 31, even though her elected term does not end until December 2022.
The commissioners are recruiting to appoint a replacement, who will serve until Dec. 31, 2022, and will be up for election in November 2022.
People can apply to the Coos County Human Resources Department, 225 N. Adams Street, Coquille, OR 97423, by fax at 541-396-1012 or by email at humanresources@co.coos.or.us.
The position pays $5,147 per month, plus health benefits.
The clerk directs operations, manages and supervises the County Clerk's office including the land records and elections department and staff.
* * *
BHS grads are reminded that one of our favorite teachers (from the late 1950s) Lloyd Gabriel will be celebrating his 100th birthday on Dec. 2. Cards can be sent to him at 3808 Summitview Ave., Apt. 301, Yakima, Wash. 98902. His phone number is 509-853-1739; his email is expowgabe@gmail.com.
His wife, Ruth "Rik," who taught home economics here, is a couple of years younger, and both are doing well.
Both John Gamble and I have kept in close contact with the Gabriels all these years.
* * *
Cities across the country, like Bandon, are faced with updating their ordinances relating to homeless camping to address recent legislation and case law.
In Martin v City of Boise, the Ninth Court of Appeals ruled that enforcement of ordinances prohibiting sleeping or camping on public property against homeless individuals is unconstitutional when those individuals do not have a meaningful alternative, such as shelter space or a legal place to camp. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court, which allowed the decision to stand.
Similar laws were adopted by the Oregon Legislature. The new legislation requires all Oregon cities and counties to update their ordinance language by July 1, 2023, to comply with the newly-adopted state law.
* * *
I don't know the details, but I saw in the paper that a 53-year-old Langlois woman, Tina Schuhrke, died last Tuesday afternoon after her Nissan vehicle left Highway 42S near milepost 10 (near Riverton), went through the guardrail and ended up fully submerged in the Coquille River.
I haven't talked to anyone who knew her, but did determine that she lived on Lakeshore Drive. The report said she was traveling east (toward Coquille) when the incident occurred.
* * *
Bandon's athletes have done very well in recent weeks, with the girls cross-country team winning the Class 3A-2A-1A state title, and the boys coming in second behind Union. Girls who placed for Bandon were Holly Hutton, Aunika Miller, Dani McLain, Analise Miller, Cassie Kennon and Makiyah Vierck.
Placing for the boys were Ansen Converse, Carter Brown, Damian Avalos, Owen Brown, Andrew Robertson and Patton Clark.
The boys football team lost a heartbreaker, 27-26, in the state quarterfinal game against Lakeview Friday night. This was the first time Bandon had made the quarterfinals since 2006, according to Coach Jordan Sammons, who said, "The heart and grit these young men showed all year is something that makes their community proud."
* * *
When it comes to justice and how it's applied in Oregon, I was shocked to read an article about two women who were unaccounted for after they walked away from a job site while incarcerated at Coffee Break Correctional Facility in Wilsonville.
But that wasn't what shocked me. Knowing what it takes to be jailed in Coos County, I was surprised to learn that one of the two women was sentenced to four years in prison after she pled guilty to two burglary charges. She and another person stole items from a motel in Lincoln City, including light bulbs, three alarm clocks and a Safeway shopping basket full of motel towels.
I doubt that would have even merited a slap on the wrist in Coos County ...
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
November 10, 2021
The first picture I am sharing is of Bandon's City Park, probably taken before 1915.
Bandon's City Park
The first real mention I found of the city park, known as Base Ball Park, was in the Bandon Recorder in 1912.
A June 4, 1912, article urged people to be sure and vote on whether the city should purchase the property, in West Bandon, for a city park.
"That we need a city park, in fact MUST HAVE a city park is evident to everybody, and there are probably very few if any people in the city who are opposed to having a city park," said the editor.
"The track of land mentioned contains about 15 acres and can be bought for $6,000, which can be paid in city warrants. The location is ideal in every particular, surrounded and mostly covered by one of the most beautiful evergreen groves in Oregon, with an outlet to the picturesque beach. Where could a more ideal place be found and at so reasonable a price?" he asks.
An item in the June 21, 1912, paper explains that the people clearly said the city should purchase the property by approving the measure at the polls.
"Now the proposition should not stop here, but there should be the same amount of enthusiasm created in fixing up the park for the purposes for which it is meant. The base ball diamonds should be made better and become a permanent fixture. Around the base ball diamond should be a race track, the inside of which for say, a strip ten feet wide, should be covered with concrete for roller skating and other amusements for children. Then outside of this should be a good cinder track for field and track meets, and if possible a regular race track for derby events.
"Of course, we all understand that the park must be used for a cow pasture for some time to come, but the above is only a suggestion as to what might be done at some future time."
Today, the park features a lot of amenities, including a community center, library and theater, as well as ball parks and disc golf, but some of the things envisioned by that editor over 100 years ago never came to pass.
The second photo ties in nicely because what started out as a horse barn for military use has become a beautiful community center. But it wasn't an easy journey and it required a lot of volunteer assistance along the way.
Bandon Horse Barn
An article in a 1945 Western World explains that the city bought "the big horse barn building erected in the city park by the Coast Guard and used for only a short time."
In a Western World interview in 1985, well-known resident Art Dobney, who arrived in Bandon in 1937 after he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and received orders to report to duty here, talked about the horse barn turned community center. Art left for overseas duty around Christmas of 1941, and returned to Bandon two years later and took command of the new Coast Guard station (built in 1939 after the original building was lost in the Fire). It had a crew of 118 men.
"The Barn was our horse barn. We had 42 horses here and 42 more at another barn on the Evans farm (in what later became Bullards Beach State Park). We got cowboys to take care of the horses, and we had a barracks and a cook at Whiskey Run for the Coast Guardsmen.
"At that time, they knew the Japanese were going to hit (this coastline), so we patrolled the beach on horseback 24 hours a day. Those patrols lasted about eight months," Dobney told the reporter.
An article in the May 10, 1945, Western World talks about the building.
"It is a substantial structure and lends itself well to remodeling plans that will convert it into a spacious, comfortable, recreational hall. All civic organizations are backing the project, but the Junior Women have been the most active in raising money. They have already contributed $100 which they made on a previous dance."
Howard Tucker was elected chair to head the Recreation Center Association. The other six members of the executive committee included Miss Marcella Giles, Mrs. Louis D. Felsheim (my grandmother), Otto C. Shindler, Tom Smith, Carl Lorenz and Harry Harris.
The first chore for the volunteers was to remove the horse stalls. Among those who helped with that job were Jack Gardner, Merlin Pepion and Billie Bates.
Jack (better known by locals as Blackie) Miller was the carpenter in charge of the remodeling, and he said the first act of business would be the installation of the new trusses, which were cut at the Moore Mill.
A Community Work Day was slated for city park and all the people of the community, men and women, were urged to participate.
Not long after the volunteers finished their work, the Bandon Lions Club took over the Barn after it had been deeded to the City of Bandon.
A 1972 article written by then school superintendent and long-time Lion member Roland Parks explained that the Lions spent over $5,000 during a 20-year period to turn the facility into an attractive, well lighted and heated center.
And that was just the beginning .....
The third picture of Port Manager Alex Linke was taken in November of 1979, advertising that he would be the guest speaker at the upcoming Chamber of Commerce meeting at Three Gables Restaurant where the topic would be: "What are the chances for a new small boat basin and improved port."
Port Manager Alex Linke, 1979
History will show that the chances were, indeed, very good! Today, the Bandon waterfront is the pride of the community.
Three Gables was located at the west end of 11th Street near the parking lot and across from what was then known as Gorman Motel at Coquille Point. Both properties are now owned by Mike Keiser.
* * *
Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the actions of Governor Kate Brown who has commuted sentences of youth who were sentenced prior to 2019 when SB 1008 was passed and who "did not benefit from its changes to the juvenile justice system."
"I personally hoped that before any action was taken by the Governor, that the district attorneys for the counties where the youth were adjudicated would be consulted as to the facts of the case and more importantly, to all the DAs to notify the victims and their families that the Governor was considering commuting the sentence of the youth that had victimized them. Sadly my hope was misplaced," said Frasier.
"The Commutation Order includes the name of Raymond Perkins. He was 14 at the time he killed Dr. Judith Elman on the beach north of Seven Devils Wayside. He also sexually assaulted her. He applied three times for commutation from previous Governors, as well as Governor Brown, but was denied," said the DA.
Under the new order, "if granted parole, he could be released as early as next year," Frasier said. He said his office will attend the parole hearing.
* * *
I received a call from Sheriff Craig Zanni this week after my item on jail capacity came out in last week's column. We've been friends for years and we had a good talk about the issues that he and others are facing with staffing problems at the jail.
To begin with, Craig said the jail will take assault victims ... any "person" crime, not to be confused with property crimes like theft. As to the man who was assaulted in Mingus Park, the sheriff said he had talked to the officer at the scene, who said the victim actually "instigated the attack because he'd had his dog off leash." I'd argue with the officer whether having your dog off leash warranted being attacked, but I'll save that for another day. Apparently the officer chose not to arrest the guy or at least not to try and have him jailed.
As far as the reasons for only one pod being open (49 beds), Sheriff Zanni said it is a staffing issue, and trying to work within the Covid mandates have been the root cause. "If we violate the OSHA law (about Covid), we will be fined," he told me.
The staffing has also been impacted by the Oregon Family Leave Act, which allows a new father to take 12 weeks of leave when his wife has a baby. Another deputy is battling leukemia.
Zanni said he hopes to have the second pod open by the first of the month, or Dec. 1, which would mean there would be 100 jail beds available. "We're trying to get back to 100 beds, and we will re-evaluate it at the end of the month," he said.
* * *
Dan and Lynn Barnett are already gearing up for their annual Christmas for Less Fortunate Families, an event which treats youngsters to gifts, goodies and fun each year at their business, Billy Smoothboars.
I know this is an expensive undertaking as I often go down to share in the fun, and if anyone would like to help them, donations would gladly be accepted at 3030 Oregon Ave. SW, Bandon, OR 97411.
A big thank you goes out to the Barnetts. The event is Wednesday, Dec. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m.
* * *
People received an mail last week that asked for money and seemed to say that if people didn't donate, local post offices may be closed.
A friend of mine contacted the local post office to find out if it were true. One employee said it was "not in the least true; just another scam to get us to send money."
The email came from TrainDemocrats.org, and the subject line read:
"Bandon Post Office CLOSED."
* * *
Coos County Solid Waste Department has announced a free household hazardous waste collection event set for Saturday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Beaver Hill transfer site.
"Coos and Curry County residents can dispose of various household chemicals at the free event.
People are asked to call 541-396-7624 to make an appointment. The best time to call is Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event is for household hazardous waste only.
Things that will not be accepted are ammunition, asbestos, explosives, fireworks, radioactive materials, medical waste and sharps.
* * *
The rainfall total for the month of October in the area was seven inches, compared to the previous year's October rainfall of 2.65 inches, and 2019's total of 1.97 inches. That is the third highest amount of rainfall for October in the last 17 years, with the most recorded in October 2016 (13.98 inches) and October 2014 (11.88 inches).
The total precipitation for the 2020-21 rain year (October through September) was 61.68 inches, compared to the previous year's total of 52.79.
If Friday night's deluge was any indication, the November rainfall totals should also be high. I know we need the rain, but it's important to remember than unless there is a way to capture it, the excess simply runs off to the ocean, creative erosion along the way.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
November 03, 2021
What I really want to tell my readers about this week is what happened to several well-known doctors who served Bandon and Coos County in the 1920s, 30s and 1940s. That is why I have chosen to share a picture of the Ellingson building, which was purchased by a group of doctors, dentists and druggists in 1928.
Ellingson building
They included druggist O.C. Shindler, who owned the Rexall Drug Store (in the photo), Dr. Arthur Gale, Dr. R.V. Leep, Dr. F.A. Voge and Dr. R.E. Donahey. Although not part of the purchase, Dr. R.H. Mast was instrumental in setting up a temporary hospital after the Fire. Today, that is the site of the Arcade Tavern building on the corner of First and Alabama. If you look closely you can see Dr. Leep's office on the second floor above the drug store. At the end of Alabama is the National Bank building, which survived the Fire and today is known as the Masonic building.
The first of the tragedies occurred in late June of 1929 when Dr. Leep, 41, was hunting sealions at the Cape Blanco Reef with three Portland doctors, Ed Capps and Archie Rosa, both of Bandon. As they neared the large rocks where they were to land, the waters became rough and Dr. Leep suggested they put on life preservers. He apparently put his shotgun down without removing the shells. Later they decided to lash the guns together to haul them up the side of a bank. One man yelled up at the men, asking if any of the guns were loaded, but because of the strong winds, apparently the guy did not understand Dr. Leep. And in the process of moving the weapons, the gun discharged and killed Dr. Leep instantly.
Dr. Leep, who owned the Leep Hospital in Bandon, was raised in Myrtle Point, where his father was a doctor. He began practicing medicine in Bandon in 1911.
Another of the medical building owners, Dr. Gale, had practiced in Bandon the past 22 years and was among the locals who fought the fire of Sept. 26, 1936, giving aid to the ill and injured while his home and office were consumed by the flames. It is believed that the inhalation of smoke and heat weakened his lungs. He died two months later at the age of 58.
Three years later, in October of 1939, Dr. Mast, 43, owner of Mast Hospital in Myrtle Point, died when he accidentally fell from an eighth story window of the Congress Hotel in Portland. He and Mrs. Mast had been in Portland for the weekend. She was asleep when he is thought to have been in the act of opening the window when he lost his balance.
He graduated from Coquille High School and the U. of O. Medical School, and had been practicing medicine in Myrtle Point the past 17 years, although he frequently consulted with Dr. E.F. Lucas, our beloved Bandon doctor, who was his fellow scholar in medical school. After the Fire he immediately came to Bandon and set up a temporary hospital in the Bob-Otto Court, where he volunteered his services to help people.
Another of the building owners Dr. Voge, died of carbon monoxide poisoning in his Portland garage at the age of 65.
Another well-known Bandon dentist, Dr. S.C Endicott, committed suicide in 1947 on the day of his wife's funeral.
The second photo I am sharing is the medical building constructed immediately after the Fire on Second Street (now the home of Winter River books) by O.C. Shindler and Dr. Lucas. It was a quite a contrast from what they had lost in the Fire.
Medical building
I recently purchased this interesting but very old post card (picture number three) which shows a three-masted schooner leaving the Bandon harbor, and a ship outside of the channel.
Three-masted schooner leaving the Bandon harbor
* * *
There were two very disturbing posts on Facebook Sunday, including one which occurred in Coos Bay's Mingus Park when a veteran was assaulted and the assailant reportedly walked free.
Earlier, a man had posted that his young wife was assaulted in broad daylight at 11th and Oak in Eugene as she left a doctor's appointment. A homeless man attacked her and knocked her to the ground. She saw him reach for an object in his pocket and she was able to run away. A short time later, two blocks away another woman was attacked by a homeless man, and this time the victim was stabbed and ended up in the hospital.
The incident in Mingus occurred earlier in the week when a 25-year veteran of the Navy was walking his dog. He was shoved violently into the bridge, hitting his head on a guard rail. The assailant proceeded to kick him in a rage, shouting obscenities. That is when a good Samaritan happened to be walking toward the bridge. She saw what the guy was doing and screamed for him to stop. He began to scream obscenities at the poor lady, who then left the scene in fear and called the police.
Here is the disturbing part: The Facebook post says, "Once the Coos Bay police got on scene, they took the report from witnesses and myself, where I was then told by a Captain of the police that the assailant who assaulted me 'wasn't going to jail' even though I specifically stated I wanted to press charges. I was told it wasn't up to the Coos Bay officers, but the Sheriff, who's policy is 'not to arrest low level assaults,' only if there's a weapon involved in an assault. This is what taxpayers get from the local Coos County Sheriff and Police?" asked the poster, who was the victim of the crime.
I would say I don't believe it, but I have heard of too many crimes being committed in the Coos Bay area, where the suspect does not end up going to jail.
It's time the people of this county began to ask questions. If it's not safe to walk in broad daylight, we need to know it!
I also know that Bandon Dunes Golf Resorts sends thousands of dollars to the sheriff's office every year from taxes levied voluntarily against their lodgers. Time for a complete accounting of how that money is being used.
If priorities need to change as to how the money to fund the sheriff's office is spent, so be it. The safety of our citizens must come first.
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I was sorry to learn that long-time Bandon resident Reinhard Schoepel died last week at the age of 80. Schoepel owned Reinhard's Foreign Car Service on Fillmore for a number of years, before he retired. Among his survivors are his daughter Stacia Duval and his granddaughter, Kaleigh, of The Rolling Pin.
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The long closed Dave's TV building in Old Town Bandon is finally on the market. Mindy Boston of Century 21, Best Realty has the 1800 square foot building listed for $300,000.
It was one of the first buildings to be erected after the fire by Haga and Church, grocers; it later served as Croxall & Perry Grocery for many years before being purchased by the late Dave Elliott, whose family owns it today.
Another commercial building for sale is Mary Ellingson's Bandon Florist 3,000 square foot building on the corner of 11th and Alabama. It is listed for $595,000. I understand that if the business does not sell, she plans to close the business.
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I heard from Nona Scott this week that the apartment number she had been given for her mother, Barbara Dodrill, was incorrect. The number is 292. Again, Barbara's address is 1005 NE 17th Ave., Apt. 292, Hillsboro, Ore., 97124.
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It was neat to read that Josh Minkler, son of Jim and Salena Minkler, is being celebrated as an Evans Scholar at the University of Oregon. Josh attended Bandon High School and caddied at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. He is now majoring in business administration at the University of Oregon.
The Minklers are a special family and it is great to hear that Josh is now a Chick Evans Scholar, a full tuition and housing scholarship awarded to exemplary young caddies of outstanding character.
His father is senior pastor at Seabird Chapel. His mother works in the Special Education department at Ocean Crest Elementary School.
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For the first time in more than a decade, Bandon will be hosting a state playoff game, when Oakland comes to town Friday night (Nov. 5) for a 7 o'clock game. The winner of that game will play the winner of the Grant Union/Lakeview game the next weekend, either on Friday or Saturday. The semi-final game is the weekend of Nov. 19-20, with the final on Nov. 27.
It appears that Coquille will host Monroe Friday night, but when I wrote this Sunday night, the time had not been posted.
Bandon's football squad, coached by Jordan Sammons, has had an impressive season, with a 7-3 record, including a heartbreaking two-point loss to Coquille 40-38, and an impressive 14-7 win over Reedsport.
In an earlier non-conference game with Oakland, last Friday night, the Tigers fell 18-7, but plan to be ready for a rematch this week.
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I have learned that in accordance with the Governor's mandates that require health care workers to be vaccinated, 154 employees of the Southern Coos Hospital and Health District are fully vaccinated, while there were 18 religious exemptions granted as well as eight medical exemptions.
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People are reminded that a tree-planting event will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at City Park Saturday, Nov. 13, hosted by Friends of Bandon Parks.
Christine Hall, chair of the city's parks and recreation commission, said that Bandon has lost over 100 trees in City Park in just seven years, mostly because of storms and the age of the trees.
Sponsors of the event are City of Bandon, Stillwater Natives Nursery, Friends of Bandon Parks and Samantha Stanger, who is the tree donor.
For more information, go to info@friendsofbandonparks.org.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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