Articles from the Historical Society in Josephine County Oregon

Touchdown Willie Heston

7/11

After graduation in 1901, Martin went back to Grants Pass to see his family and find employment. He found work-teaching summer school in Wolf Creek. Martin had a bicycle, which he rode from Grants Pass to Wolf Creek staying all week and riding his bicycle the 25 miles to Grants Pass every weekend. Martin would push his bicycle up Smith Hill, and up Sexton Mountain and ride down both. The roads were so steep at times, that Martin would cut a small fir tree with his hand axe, tie the cord with tree attached to the frame and drag the tree behind as a brake down Smith Hill and Sexton.

During the summer of 1901, Martin received a letter from coach Yost informing him that Yost had been east and had just signed a three year contract with the University of Michigan and wanted Martin to further his education at the University. Martin agreed to meet Yost in San Francisco after summer school closed in Wolf Creek. They met and parted with the understanding that Michigan was out of the question for Martin for at least a year. Martin immediately got a job with a whole sale fruit distributing company at the unheard of wage of ten dollars a day.

The teamsters were on strike so if you were non-union and worked, you were regarded as a "scab". Martin soon discovered that an angry mob could put your life in jepardy. Police escorted Martin on the days the strikers became unruly. Sometimes they would tamper with the wagon causing him to dump his load of fruit in the street. This often caused delays in making his deliveries. Bottles were thrown at him also. Martin held on the best he could for three weeks then quit when his friend was nearly killed going home by strikers.

Then Martin had something happen that made him aware that he was destined to go to the University of Michigan and fulfill his mission as a football player and scholar. With his job finished, he had decided to return to Grants Pass and try for another teaching position. He counted his money he had earned teaching school, as a teamster, and as a ship unloader. It totaled $315.00. Martin packed his belongings in a pasteboard suitcase and started for the ferry to buy his transportation ... Continued - Page 8

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