Oregon150

by Theresa Sousa
Medford, OR

I am a sixth-generation Oregonian. My great, great grandfather was one of the original founders of Drain. He, Jessie Applegate, and Frank Drain were the first settlers in the area of Drain. Jessie moved on after a while and found his way to the Jacksonville area. My great, great grandfather was Agusta Hickithier. He owned a large ranch and mill just north of Drain. He was also the town Barber and Photographer.

My great grandfather was Rufus Beverly Hickithier. He used to drive the coal wagon from the train station in Drain to Reedsport twice a month when he was a boy. Later, he took over the mill and ranch. He was interviewed by the historic society in the ’70s and told of the time the KKK came to town and called a meeting at the grange hall in Curtin. He said, “Me and Mommie [that's what he called his wife] went up to see what they had to say. We decided it was a bunch of devilment, so we went home.”

In later years, he was deaf, couldn’t turn his head to the right, and had a stiff leg. He would still “take a notion,” to go to town now and then. So he would “sneak” off and fire up the truck until he could feel the vibration. This of course would alert great grandma May, and she would call Uncle Gene, who was the town officer to tell him Rufus was coming down off the hill.

Then it was Uncle Gene’s job to get down to the intersection (the only intersection) and guide traffic. You see, they had put in a traffic light and no one had asked him, so he refused to stop. Now everyone in town, (and Curtin, and Yoncalla) knew to watch out for Rufus, but just in case a stranger was coming though from Reedsport or approching him from the right, Uncle Gene was there to help. So much more I could tell you. Seven generations of stories!