Rogue River Valley

Articles from the Historical Society in Josephine County Oregon

Touchdown Willie Heston

3/11

back pension came to $375.00, which was considered a substantial amount of money in 1894. A good wage at that time was $1.75 per day.

With this new security, the family was free to move west and decided that Grants Pass, Oregon was going to be their destination. After the Heston's arrived in Grants Pass, they settled on a farm owned by Shelby Mitchell whose wife, was a sister to Martin's mother, Hester Ann Gray Heston.

The farm was locted in the Fruitdale area, where Gaffney Way is now. It was 1894 and Martin, now sixteen, was allowed to go to school once more. He completed the eighth grade in May of that year.

During the school year Martin became interested in a girl named Mable Wade. Martin found work digging a mining ditch to supply water for a local placer mine. Martin was let go and was so dissapointed and embarrassed to have Mable find out that he vowed he would be as independent as he could be for the rest of his life.

At that time the Southern Pacific Railroad was purchasing two foot Douglas fir firewood for $2.50 per cord. With his fathers help they cut about one cord a day. Martin personally cut and hauled 30 cords to town in his father's wagon. He also canvassed homes in Grants Pass and sold stovewood. One of his clients was Professor Champ Price, the high school principal.

Mr. Price suggested that Martin should start high school, which he did, in 1895 at the two story brick Grants Pass High School on Gilbert Creek. (The old Washington Jr. high occupies that spot now.) It wasn't long before Martin's speed was discovered. The school did not have football or baseball, but did have foot races, which at the short distances (100 yds) Martin won with ease, however, in the 220-yard dash, Ernie Stiles quite often was the winner.

Martin also enjoyed ... Continued - Page 4