OBITUARY: Enos M. Rhoten, Kane Creek, Jackson County, Oregon ********************************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE: ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ********************************************************************************* Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by Elizabeth Corethers 25 Jul 2003 *************************************************************************** Medford (Oregon) Mail Tribune, Sunday, 13 Dec 1931, p. 1, c. 7 ENOS M. RHOTEN, PIONEER MINER OF ROGUE, DIES Mountainside and river bed surrendered to him vast sums of gold during his 60 years of mining, but death yesterday robbed him of little in material wealth. For Enos M. Rhoten, 70, known to the southern Oregon mining world as the father of pocket hunters, was a very generous man. He died Saturday morning at his home on Kane Creek from apoplexy, ending one of the most romantic careers, growing out of the gold days in Jackson County. He found his first gold in the amount of $150, when he was just seven years old. He continued to find it for the next 60 years, and in his findings were some of the richest mines in southern Oregon, one of them producing $150,000. His gold went as easily as it came. At one time, he is said to have owned three saloons in Jackson County. Over each bar free whiskey was passed to good drinkers, but never to be taken through the doors of the saloon. Mr. Rhoten was born in Appanoose county, Iowa. And came from his birthplace to southern Oregon. He became, when but a youth, identified with mining activities of this region. When mining history was to be made, he was there to make it. He was also a veteran of the Indian war, playing an equally colorful role in that phase of the early development of the country. As a veteran, he was pen[s]ioned until his death. Mr. Rhoten leaves his wife, Nancy Ellen Rhoten, and one daughter, Ida LeClair of Gold Hill. Also three brothers and one sister, Abraham and Albert Rhoten and Mrs. Al Boggis of Gold Hill and William Rhoten of Yreka. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. W. H. Eaton at the Conger chapel at 1:30 Tuesday afternoon. Interment in Gold Hill cemetery.