The history of Jefferson County is a rich and colorful tapestry of stories that residents and visitors have been telling each other since Native people first entered this country, maybe 10,000 years ago. Why do people tell and perpetuate stories, here, or anywhere? First and last, of course, to entertain, but also to commemorate important things that happen; to celebrate notable people and what they did and said; to imaginatively connect with the distinctive landscapes and weather and wildlife of “home” (somebody should compile an anthology of Jefferson County rattlesnake tales!).
To convey a sense of the kinds of stories that long-time County residents have told and still tell one another, and to encourage the collecting of such priceless materials, we offer the following sampler—some of the pieces are transcribed as texts, some are in audio form. For a real treasury of the latter, see the CD collection The Voices of Experience, from interviews with County old-timers conducted by Harold Moore and his Middle School students in the 1970’s—available at the Museum.
Stories – TEXT
- 546th Squadron
- Driving Cows Through Madras
- End of World War Two Celebration in Madras
- Making America Safe
- Saloons and Other Places
- Our Social Activities
- Out for A Soda
- Two First-Hand Accounts of
Stagecoach Runs, The Dalles to Prineville - The Ballad of Pete Orman
- The Day the Circus Came to Town
- The Dream Fulfilled
Stories – AUDIO
The audio excerpts presented here are from “The Voices of Experience,” a series of interviews by the Jefferson County Historical Society and edited by Harold Moore.
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- Earl Bone – Irrigation Acreages
- Earl Bone – Land Sales
- Earl Bone – Madras Water Rights
- Jessie Darrar – Madras Population
- Jessie Darrar – School Experiences
- John Campbell – Historic Madras
- John Campbell – Horse Rustling
- Katie Rufener – Pistol Threat
- Katie Rufener – Suicide Wells
- Lucinda Smith – Indian Food
- Lucinda Smith – Indian Tribes
- Ruby Hagman – Haystack School
- Ruby Hagman – Walk to School