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Morton Milling auctions supplies Vehicles, machinery included in sale By DAVID PRESZLER The remnants of one of the Rogue Valley's oldest agricultural supply businesses will be auctioned off Saturday. Morton Milling Co. filed for bankruptcy and closed in early June, ending a run of more than 60 years serving the valley's ranchers and farmers. The auction of the company's remaining assets -- an assortment of vehicles, machinery and inventory -- starts at 10 a.m. at the store, located at the intersection of Rossanley Drive and Sage Road in Medford. Vehicles to be auctioned include a 26-foot flatbed pickup, a four-wheel-drive pickup, a feed truck and two flatbed trailers, according to auctioneer Wayne Liska. Two forklifts will also be auctioned, as will the store's inventory of feed and accessories. Neither David Simpson, the store's longtime owner, nor his attorney could be reached for comment. Simpson built a reputation as a friend to the area's farmers and ranchers, and his store was a mainstay for local 4-H and Future Farmers of America clubs. "It's really a shame," says Sams Valley rancher Clay Charley, whose family came to Southern Oregon in the 1850s and has been ranching ever since. "We bought a lot of our antibiotics and all of our veterinary supplies and salt from them. "Anytime you wanted some advice on a sick critter you could go down there and if they didn't know, they'd do their best to find out." Charley says Morton Milling's closure is just another sign of how agriculture is struggling in Southern Oregon. "All the agriculture in this valley is being overrun," he says. "Agriculture is kind of getting shoved aside. We might not be far behind him." Not only has the amount of agricultural activity been shrinking in the Rogue Valley, but the number of businesses competing for those customers has been increasing, making a tough situation even tougher for smaller companies. Simpson filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which allows a business to continue operating, in 1995 but converted it to a Chapter 7 in June. Chapter 7 filings generally signal the end of a business and call for the liquidation of assets. Claims in the bankruptcy case show debts of more than $200,000. Morton Milling Co. was founded in late 1931 or early 1932 and was first located in the first block of West Jackson Street, according to the Southern Oregon Historical Society. David Wurst, the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee in the case, says he's seen lots of sympathy and support for Simpson and his company. "He was loved by the community," he says. "It's tough to do those types of businesses anymore." Wurst says Simpson and his attorney have been "extremely cooperative" in the proceedings, though the end of the business has clearly been difficult for Simpson. "This is really a tough pill for him to swallow." Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA