Four Mile Lake Road
Term Paper; Hst. 478; June 9, 1960
submitted by Marilyn Cobo
to determine history of an old wagon road believed to be an early route connecting Jacksonvillw and Fort Klamath: no material in books telling when or why the road was in use except in connection with Rancheria Massacre.
main source of information: Mrs. Stone of Klamath Falls who has done research in Klamath County history and Mr. Allen of Medford who remembered traveling part of it. many other "old timers" were consulted and Ms Cobo recommended finding more source people. no record of this road being built under any formal wagon road grant; is shown on maps and General land office Survey Plate provides evidence of its existence.
5 men were killed in the Rancheria (Ledfoerd) Massacre, thought to have been following Fourmile Route to cross Cascades into Klamath Lake country. murderers thought to have been hiding in "prairie above Flounce Creek" until snow-melt allowed for their crossing the mountains perhaps 1856, 1860 or after 1860.
Captain Jack was hung in 1873 and 3 horsemen raced to report news in Jacksonville, each taking a different route with man on Fourmile Lake winning.
Cobo was not able to contact Paul Rynning, retired county engineer; John D. Holst, 1st ranger for Forest Service at Sevenmile 1907/1908, Kizzie Edmunson of Butte Falls, "old timer", Bill Warner a member of pioneer family, Mrs. Birdseye an early resident of Rogue Valley, Earnest Smith of Butte Falls, and Francis Brown a pioneer rancer on west side of upper Klamath Lake
photos and maps included.