THE WEST SHORE.
Willamette valley is certainly an important one, and
Salem, as its chief mart and the second city of the
state, controls superior opportunities. The surpass
ing richness of the valley surrounds it, and for miles
in every direction all industrial and social interests
look to Salem as their Mecca, The fact that it is the
capital of so rich and growing a commonwealth as
Oregon, gives it additional prominence at home and
abroad. The general appearance of the city its
plan, its tasteful and elegant homes, its business
streets, etc. reminds one of a cultured New England
city, but in public and private enterprise it is thor
oughly imbued with western vigor. The people are
wide awake and progressive in business and genial
in social intercourse. The institutions of the city and
county are such as an intelligent and prosperous com
munity enjoy and support The public schools are
in an excellent condition throughout the county, and
private educational institutions aro located at a num
ber of places besides Salem. Church privileges aro
abundant, and a healthy tono pervades all ranks of
society.
The scenic attractions of tho region aro varied and
of a grandeur rarely excelled. It would not lo powi.
ble to compass within tho limits of a magazino article
all the advantages which a city liko Salem possesses,
or to touch, even briefly, all tho merits that would bo
of interest to tho reader who is searching for ipecifio
knowledgo of an cxhaustivo character. Hat a general
view is given of tho locality and tho achievements of its
people. A county with a population of twenty thou
sand souls and a property valuation of $15,000,000.00
upon which there is ouly about 12,315,000.00 indebt
edness, having for its chief city tho capital of tho
state, would seem to offer unusually strong induce
ments to tho industrious homo seeker.
MY HERO'S QRAVE.'
He nlecp9 where tho wild hell of battle
Swept over tall Mimdon'i roul creat ;
He ulcejm, where the hot breath of cannon,
Had withered the bravcut and It-nt.
Ay! dreamier he uleejm where he jeriiiln,
Alone in the wft southern air,
On that fell western lope, when grim carnage
Held court and high carnival there.
I'nrotlin'd, unknown, 'neath the rijuifn,
Apart from all conflict and pain,
No wild, thrilling call of the bugle
Will 'wake him to battle again.
You ack, wan he friend, or a fix-man?
I know not 'twaa only a grave,
O'ergrown with the rank weed of mirnmer,
1'erch'd high o'er the TennewM-e'g wae.
What UxM it to whom hi allegiance,
Or under which banner he fought!
My hero, thy name, grave and station
Alike have l-en almost forgot.
lYrchawe where the pine tre are nighing
Alwve nome lone deflate home,
A n houI i piffling In anguih-
" lear Ood, will he never come? "
Or away in the fair nunny ulh!an I,
The palm frond ar? w hiring low,
Take In-art, O, thou one, thy dailiriji
Han died with hi fc to the f! "
No marble will 111 of hi glory,
tin manhood, hi rank, or hi year ;
So 1 weave him thi crown U grn UurU,
And ay my 1 tribute with tr.
C'lkH Uil hit.
la tU .nmmi-f of ik-l V'l M ul 'l Ui- .m ltc . i.