1905 DR. F. W. PRENTICE. Diary. Superb Oregon Doctor's Diary - Surgeries, Russian War, Oregon Scandals, &c.

A superb 1905 diary with 94pp of rather extensive entires, " kept by F. W. Prentice. 639 High Street, Eugene, Oregon."  

F [rederick] W. Prentice was originally from Illinois and originally a respected Professor of Veterinary Science in the School of Agriculture Department at the University of Illinois [1873-1880's]. He was also assigned human physiology in 1880. He moved to Oregon sometime late in the 1800's and became an influential physician in the Northwest, contributing regularly to publications and acting as one of the founders of the Lane County Medical Society [1889]. 

Excellent content:

Jan 1. The war expenses of the Russians up to November are $238,000,000. The Japanese have captured Sungahn Mountain which is one of the inner defenses of Port Arthur. It is stated that Japan will never yield and the war will end when Russia asks for terms of peace. There has been some talk of intervention, which is practically out of the question, as Japan would take care not to be swindled a second time as she was in the war with China. Reading London Lancet and other papers, etc.,

Jan 2. Was at the Court House from nine until after twelve trying Fred P. Gosser as to his mental condition, we did not find him insane. The report came over the wire this afternoon that Port Arthur has fallen, etc.,

Exceptionally good current events, both local and national. Many of the below have rather detailed descriptions accompanying them; just examples of the subjects covered.

Extensive accounts of the ongoing War between Russia and Japan, the beginnings of the Russian Revolution, the ongoing land fraud cases in Oregon implicating Governor Mitchell, and the winter weather [which broke records for the coldest winter ever recorded all across the midwest and northwest of the country]. 

Lots of local people, places, and area cities named.

Gros Beaks feeding in the East Park; worst blizzard since the 1888 storm in New York [with detailed description]; investigation into local land frauds; description of disturbances in Russia; ice frozen hard enough to bare horses; land fraud expected to implicate some high officials; new single tube tires for bicycles, all Washington and Norther Oregon covered in snow; a whist party; accounts of various horse and buggy trips around Oregon; Portland second healthiest city in America; squaw bush buds are beginning to green; Senator Mitchell and the land fraud cases; Russian priests urging strikes and mobs in Russia - Revolution appears likely; Lecture on Japan at Dr. Bars; considerable sickness at present - many cases of La Grippe; intense cold on the other side of the Rocky Mountains; many frozen to death; operation on Mrs. W. E. Brown using chloroform - two and a half hours - removed cancer from her uterus and ovaries; visiting friends at Kirkland; extensive accounts of their homesteaded garden; attending a lecture on Manchuria; Bangs Park; rheumatism; Springfield; Harlow Place; circus in town; train crash with train full of dynamite; Entire town of Snyder destroyed and people left destitute; driving out to country to visit the sick; holiday sales increased; extensive section on the low reputation of insurance companies; cut glass for his wife for Christmas; dinner and lecture at the Lane County Medical Society with Professor Levester lecturing on Bacteria, etc. etc. etc.