Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (March 7, 1891)
THE WEST SHORE. 153 CHIEF HOMILY AND BRIDE. One of the prominent figures still remaining to remind us of former days and far different scenes from the peaceful ones that now surround us is Chief Homily, now living on the Umatilla reservation, that fine body of agricultural land near Pendleton, Oregon, that is to be placed on the market the first of April and sold to white settlers. Homily belonged to that faction of the united tribes of Cayuses and Umatillas not responsible for the massacre of Dr. Whitman j nor was he actively engaged in the war of 1855, though many of the young men of the Cayuse and Umatilla tribes joined the Walla Wallas in their battles with the Oregon volunteers. He is a fine looking and well-preserved Indian of about seventy-five years of age, and has recently t'hknkv, washiniiton. Editor The Wkst Shore As an amateur botanist 1 have tried to learn all 1 can about our native flowers. I have cultivated twenty diftercnt kinds, including annuals, herbaceous, perennials and bullious plants. Therefore, I feel that 1 ought to be entitled to suggest a Bower suitable for an emblem for the slate of Washington. There are several that seem to me suitable, but 1 will only speak of my first choice at present. Of all the flowers of Eastern Washington Ckrkit seeins to me the best adapted for the purposes mentioned. There are several species. The only species common In Eastern Washington is C. ?1, M!j; Its form ami color are pleasing, and It is easily cultivated. There are few flowers better for a mass of color than Clariia, nnd the fact that It was named In honor of an explorer well known In the history of this country is a point in its favor, 1 will not attempt to give all the points in favor of my favorite, but will wait to hear what others will have to say for or against it, Flora Wild. v 0 ' Editor The Wkst Shore Skhomk, Washington, CHIEF HOMILY A SI) HKIDK. (Photo by K. (i. l'umminRs. Clover red, while and dappled; on the lawns, beneath the hedges, down the mead ows, deep In the dark forests, on the sunny hillsides, and even fur up the mountains everywhere, everywhere In Washington, In all seasons of the year, the clover puts up its three delicate leaves to the rain or sun or cloud. It Is just as luxuriant, as deeply green, as daintily rimmed round with silver when its lot is cast at the poor man's stoop as when It Is carefully nurtured on the rich man's lawn, It is even a trifle happier, I think, down under the willows in the pasture where the brook flows, singing, through the reeds, than It Is under the spray of the marble founuiin. And how beautiful, how beautiful are Its blos soms, wilh 'heir tiny, snow-white or rose-colored spikes filled with the sweels that the bees lovel Free, generous, simple cloverl What could be more appropriate for a state flower? The " three Utile leaves extended " closely resemble the shamrock of old Ireland; nnd we all know that sometimes God puts a fourth leaf In that good luck may walk with the one who finds it. The new state should lie represented by no proud flower that grows In high or rare places, and by no shy one that hides Its blushing face in lonely, sequestered nooks; but by some flower that grows everywhere; that lifts up a happy face to every fale, and springs up again, hopeful, when a rude foot has crushed It; that gives Its beauty freely and generously to every heart that would love It. 1 Jke the gold dandelion, It has been unno ticed, unappreciated, unloved, too long a time. It Is always so, I know, with modesty, The rose has a dotcn admirers w here the violet has one. Hut next time your eye falls ' upon a little clover leaf, with its broken rim of silver, take It up with a careful hand and let Its delicate beauty steal upon you; and think think-how beautiful Is 111 bcclovcd blossom. Klla Higginson. Virginia City, Montana. Editor Tiik Wkst Siiiikk I have just read your request In reference to the adoption of a floral emblem by the states of the northwest. The Idea leases me. Montana has a beautiful, aromatic flower which Is called, locally, " the mountain lily." It blossoms ulxnit the first week In June, nnd continues to blossom for three months. As soon as the first make their apcarnnce, I will send you a siecimen, and, now, claim for It the honor of its adoption as the floral emblem of Montana. Ida Stkvkkns. signified his continued interest in mundane affairs, as well as his opinion that marriage is not a failure, by taking a bride ; not a garrulous old squaw, an experienced camas digger and salmon drier, but a young, and, judged by Indian standards, handsome maiden of some seventeen summers. It is more than probable that he is, like Solomon of old, wise enough to value domestic harmony higher than a good dinner, and has selected his bride with the eye of one who learns wisdom from experience. He is well to do in this world's goods, has a good home and plenty of cattle and ponies, and need not worry much about camas and salmon. STATE FLOWERS. The adoption of the Eschscholtzia Califormca, or yellow poppy, as the floral emblem of California, illustrated in its natural colors in THE West SlIURK of January 24, has created considerable interest in the subject of state (lowers for other states of the Pacific coast. The following letters have been received on the subject from Montana and Washington. Let us hear from the lovers of flowers in Oregon and Idaho, as well as (rom others in he states already represented. THE West Shore invites the widest discus sion on this subject, and Liter will print engravings of the favorite flowers and give its traders an opportunity to vote on the question. Editor Tiik Wkst Siiovk- Siiki.ton, Washington. The selection of a stale flower for Washington is a m ilter which admiLs consideration in two lights; first, in regard to Its usefulness, and last, for its elegance. The flower com tuning these virtues In the most adequate proportions should be universally accepted as a slide flower. The present principal industry of Washington being agriculture, I venture to suggest the adoption of Ihnt unassuming and elegant little flower, the clover, the proMnlcs of which the farmer knowi well how to aptrrciate. llAKRV COX. Twin Hhiihiks, Montana. Editor Tiik Wkst Shdrk In your esieciully lieautiful nnd interesting numlier of January 14 I saw an engraving of the California stale flower, and your readers are Invited to proxe stale flowers for our other western slides. I, among many others, perhais, sp.uk for Montana. When I read your notice, the other side of the housewho is an enthusiastic liotanist and has hnunleil Montana valleys and mountains several years, cried out, " Isiviiia mtm'iv," just as I exclaimed, " bitter root." Why did that flower occur to us Ixith? Simply Ixi-uuse, although our valleys and foothill are bedecked, In the seiuuin, with lovely wild flowers, none Is more lieautiful, more typical of our suite, or more rciresentalive In chanicler, than the hardy, rose-colored bitter root blossom. They say the Indians eat a irl of the nail, and our botanist has exicriiueuled on the taste of the thing. I hoie all (he state will cIiikisc a flower and let It lie known at the state headquarters at the Columbian cxxilion. As for our bitter root, the specific rtdmiD name is given It liocausc of lis tenacity of life. That is a Montana characteristic. MONTANA'S FLOWER. Fair Montana! Lind of mountains, Where vasl herds of callle maul, Where are hid Ihy gold and silver (.and of fertile valk-y home I Thou art filly represented Hy the mAriWi bloom. Siruiig from rool dial lives thn' trixldcn, Lives where others find lltelr doom. Ntdtx'iui! Mountain floweret I Month of roses sees thy birth ; Hrighily decking vale anil foothills, Truly thou art " gem of earth." Thou hast christened range of mountains, 'Piou art valley's hively dower; l.et ihy dalnly, rose-tint blossom Ite Montana's own slate flower. F. A. Kkvniii.ih.