The Oregon weekly statesman., January 07, 1887, Page 2, Image 2

TI1KOK.KGON STATKSMAN: FRIDAY. JANUARY 7, 1867.
THE STATESMAN.
Its Nearly Thirty-Six Years
of Existence.
A SOMEWHAT EVEXTFUL CAREER.
Other Newspapers in Early Times in
Oregon Soine Interesting:
History.
At the beginning of the year 1851 there
were only two newspapers published in
the territory of Oregon the "Spectator "
at Oregon City, and the "Oregon inn," at
Portland. The former of these journals
had been established in the early part of
184(1, the first number appearing February
5. It was owned by the Methodist mis
sion, which organ ization was then of great
influence in the infant territory, and also
for some years afterward. The paper
changed managers frequently, and main
tained nothing more than a precarious ex
istence daring the whole of its career,
which lasted, including the interruptions
to its publication by the Cayuse Indian
war and the discovery of gold in Califor
nia, each of which events had a re
tarding effect upon its prosperity, until
March, 1835, when it quietly lay down
and gave up the ghost The Oregonian
was Etarted at Portland, by T. J. Dryer,
the first number bearing date December
9, 1850. It was issued distinctively as a
whig paper, as an "organ of the party
then in power in the national government
AH the territorial officers of course be
longed to the same political organization.
As a party, in the territory, the whigs
made up nothing more than a respectable
minority, but in intellectual capacity they
were probably superior to their democratic
opponents. The new organ of the whigs
was of the blatant species peculiar to ru
ral districts twenty-five or thirty yearn ago.
It was full of sound and fury, literally
signifying nothing to the educated reader,
but the paper took with wonderful effect
among the scattered adherents of the
same party throughout the territory, even
at the moderate price of 7 a year. In
the meantime, the democrats, being out
of power, felt the necessity of a local
journal to prepare and fonush the politi
cal pabulum for which they yearned.
Party spirit was running High, and was
vituperative to an unreasoning degree on
the part of the democrats. The writer
reooDecta hearing the whigs branded as
tories" by their opponents, and this not
in heated political discussions, but in the
calmness of private conversation, and
often the accuser and the accused belong
ing to the same religious organization.
(The term "tory then meant one who
adhered to King George daring the revo
lutionary war, and was of as rile signifi
cance as "'copperhead" became during
the war for the Union, which aptly
characterized one in the loyal states who
by his voice and vote favored the confed
erates.) Hon. Samuel B. Thureton was
delegate in congress from the territory of
Oregon, and being anxkraa for the es
tablishment of a democratic paper here,
began to east about for a suitable person
to take charge of and conduct the same.
Asahel Bush, a young man from Massa
chusetts, then in 'Washington, was recom
mended to Mr. Thurston, and soon ar
rangements were made by which the form
er started to Oregon with the necessary
atfit for a newspaper. Arriving here in
.ne la titer part of the year 1850, Mr. Bush
wae elected territorial printer by the
legislature, which then met annually cn
the first Monday in December, at Oregon
City. His printing material not reaching
Oregon until late in the swaxiter, the pub
lication of his paper was delayed until the
21st of March, 1351, on which day the
first number of the Obbcx Statesjiax
was issued to the world -Asahel Both,
editor. Its motto was, "X favor sways
us; no fear shall awe." All the materials
used in the publication of tbe paper were
bought second hand, nevertheless the
issues presented a very creditable appear
ance. The circulation of tbe paper had a
rapid increase, and soon its weekly edition
reached two thousand in number, which,
considering the paucity of the inhabitants
of the territory, was remarkable indeed.
Its proprietor was the public printer, and
bis paper of course was the official organ
of the territory positions which each re
tained throughout the remaining years of
the territorial existence and during the
first six years of that of the state, in all
about thirteen years, ,
In 1852, the seat 'of government of the
territory was changed, by act of the legis
lature, to Salem, and in J tme, 153, the
office of the State. as -was removed
hither, and its publication continued as
before. In WA, the proprietor purchased
an entirely new outfit in New Xork, in
cluding a power press, and shipped the
same around Cape Horn to ban Fran
cisco. At that port, the materials were
shipped on the steamship Southerner, for
Portland, but alas! this proved to be her
last trip, for the wind and waves were too
strong for the old vessel, and she was dis
abled and driven past the mouth of the
Columbia, far northward, and foundered
t the coast of Washington territory. All
rhe freight on board was lost, iociadiug
a thousand volumes of the general laws
"xf the territory, which had been printed
i New York for the public printer. Mr.
u i low? vj una uisasier was not less
ti:a
!.X). not a dollar of which was in-
suit-.
"l said that for weeks after the
vessel En
' to pieces ty pe in small auun-
tities Wta.
W,hel wXviTP nttri fkvnaiftn-
ally some w.,ti be gr.tiieml up by the
Swashes o fcu wi:,rlvf and wr night
into rude ornautg for tbe Bdormnent
of their dusky pei rt i iikeh, also,
that some of the meimVHa Vhed by them
for bullets in the war vr.iuh brofce out
the following year and -rtt-wiiited that
thinly-peopled region.
The legislature that met (& Solemn:
December, 1854, before the close of its
session, passed an act changing the seat
of government to the town of Corvallis
(lately MarysvilleV, in Benton county.
This movement was the result of "dick
er" between the separate interests of Ben
ton and Jackson counties, which clamor
ed for a division of the publio expendi
tures. Portland had the peniteutiary,
Salem the capitol, and Jacksonville the
territorial university, all bnilt, or to be
built, by money appropriated by the gen
eral government Balem then was an
eyesore to many of her neighbors of the
Willamette valley, and at the first oppor
tunity she was "deprived of the conse
quence that whs supposed to follow the
location of the seat of government within
her precincts. So, in the spring of 1S55,
the office was put on wheels, and followed
the territorial officers to their new abiding
place. In the meantime the authorities
at Washington had heard of the con
dition of affaiis in Oregon that the legis
lature was roaming about the territory
and official notification came from the
disbursing officers of the D. S. treasury,
that they would recognize only the legis
lature that met at Salem, the seat of gov
ernment for the territory. This was like
a thunder-clap to the originators of the
scheme of removal, as they realized that
it was a death-blow to many of their well
laid plans. On the first Monday of De
cember following (1S55), the members
of the legislature met at Corvallis, in
the quarters that had been provided,
and immediately went to work discussing
the situation. After an animated de
bate, they voted to adjourn to Salem, aud
without delay the whole body took the
first boat for this place, bag and bag
gage, the Statesman office, editor, typos,
and ' devil,'' coming down with them, and
all hands took up the same quarters they
had vacated the spring before. .This lu
dicrous fiasco was greeted with universal
laughter throughout the territory. How
ever, the promoters of the scheme of re
moval had their revenge, for, before the
session of the legislature was ended, the
building was set on fire and burned to
the ground.
While the Statesman' was published at
Corvallis a laughable incident occurred,
which well illustrates the mirth-making
character of the late J. W. Nesniitb.
Adjoining the printing office was a room
in which a justice of the peace held
court. A door opened from one room to
the other, near which a compositor stood
at his case. It seems that on one occas
ion a case was to be tried before the
justice, in which a certain lawyer, who
Bhall be nameless here, was counsel on
one side, that of the plaintiff, and J.
Quinn Thornton was employed for the
defendant. The other lawyer, whom,
however, we shall for convenience call
Smith, when the case was called, and just
before he was to make his speech, stepped
through the .door. and. handing the type
sticker a bottle of whisky, requested that
whenever he (Smith) during his speech
called for a drink of water, the former
would band him some in a dipper, after
pouring into it a few drops from the bot
tle. Keemith came in shortly afterward,
and hearing of the reqneet, got the flask,
and said he would deal out the contents.
Pretty soon Smith began speaking to
the jury, and, desiring a drink of water,
the printer hastened to fulfill hie request.
Nesmith then took a little water in the
dipper, and poured a liberal quantity of
whisky from the flask into the same,
which was handed in to the thirsty law
yer. This drink strengthened him, and
he warmed up with his subject It was
not long before he became thirsty again,
and called for more water, and again the
accommodating typo hastened to wait
upon him Nesmith, of course, in his con
cealment, adding more whisky than wa
ter. This potation was repeated some
half a dozen times, the lawyer in each in
stance growing more vehement in his
requests. The effect of the liquor was
soon apparent on Smith at first he was
very voluble, then his voice gradually
grew thick and husky, his words became
incoherent. Ins attitude unsteady, his
eyes rolling, and his gestures wild to
the utter amazement of the court and
jury, who were unable to comprehend
the attorney's singular conduct. Pres
ently Smith staggered to his seat, com
pletely bewildered, and Thornton won
the case. Nesmith and the type-setter
enjoyed their own fun.
After returning to Salem, the States
mas kept the even tenor of its way. The
times were tranquil, except during the
Indian war, which occupied public atten
tion for a few months in l"io5-6. The
successive immigrations brought addi
tions to the population of the territory,
but not much in the way of financial in-
j crease. There was very little export
trade. Dot an occasional report or newly
discovered gold diggirgs would raise ex
travagant hopes of a return of the flush
times of '49 in California. There was
one unfailing source of excitement, how
ever, the aiiDual recurrence of which pre
vented entire stagnation of the human
intellect. "Politics" aroused the dormant
energies of the people, and it is tafe to
say that the Statesman, in common
with the other political papers of the ter
ritory, did not allow this mine to remain
unworked- The agitation over the ques
tion of slavery, in congress and through
out fhe Atlantic and Mississippi states,
extended to far-off Oregon. Through the
efforts of W. L. Adams, of the Argus, at
Oregon City, the republican party was
organized in the territory, and placed in
regular opposition to the democratic pol
icy. The Statehmas, as the organ of
the latter, maintained its hold upon the
party, which was already beginning to
show signs of ultimate disintegration
over tne great question of the day the
modern Enceladua, which would not re
main quiet, even under the finalities of
compromisers. It was a period of politi
cal discussion, in and out of congress,
probably the greatest the world ever
saw the most able, the most intense,
and the most bitter culminating in the
most terrific conflict of arms since the
beginning of history. During this heated
agitation the Statesman was managed
with remarkable ability, and its weekly
issues were seized with avidity and read
with lively interest by men of all shades
of political opinion. Probably no journ
al ever exercised such an influence over
the minds of its readers as this paper did
daring the tune under contemplation.
The discerning eye might discern that
at no distant day the democratic party
would be split in twain over the disturb
ing element, but also it could be divined
that the Btatekkas would naturally and
necessarily cast its lot on the side of
freedom. In 1808 came the disruption of
the democratic party in Oregon, and in
I860 followed the division in the national
J organization over the question of slavery,
i The free-soil element followed the lead
; o Douglas, while the pro-slavery faction
, tt'xA by the old parry. The Statesman,
as the organ of the Douglas wing, mar
shaled its forces, and led them in the di
rection of the republican camp that is
to say, where liberty's hosts were rally
ing. As evidence of the complete com
mend that the paper had over its follow
ers, may be cited the result of the elec
tion for member of congress in 1859. At
the previous election there was a demo
cratic majority of over two thousand in
the territory, which was reduced to a dis
puted majority of barely sixteen in 18ii9.
The democratic majority in Marion
county had been, up to that year, about
500, but the election of 13o9 showed that
it was buried under a republican majori
ty of 800. Every one knew that the main
factor producing that result was the
Orboon Statesman, under the adroit
management of Asahel Bush, its editor
and publisher. As further evidence of
the completeness of the work, it may lie
stated that Marion county has ever since
that memorable era maintained her stand
as a republican stronghold, frequently
rolling up her pristine majority of 800,
and justifying James O'Meara s declara
tion that the revolution in Marion county
in 1859 was unparalleled in political an
nals. The momentous year of I860
came on apace, and the result of the
general election in June and the senato
rial election in October demonstrated
that the influence of the Statesman was
undiminished. The election of Nesmith
and Baker to the United States senate,
two of the most powerful defenders that
the imperiled Union afterward had, was
largely due to its cautious aud concilia
tory policy, and won for it unqualified
praise from all lovers of tbe Union.
When the war broke out, in 1961, the
Statesman spoke in no uncertain voice
for the Union, as its editorial columns
at that time abundantly testify. Harvey
Gordon, a writer of unquestioned ability,
was then the managing editor, which po
sition be retained until his death, in
June, IS!"-. He was elected state printer
on the Union-republican ticket a short
time previously, but died before he could
be sworn into office. He, in fact, bad
purchased an interest in the office short
fv before his death. In the spring of
1S63 Messrs. C. P. CrandaU "and ETM.
Waite leased the office of the proprietors,
and carried on the business until Novem
ber, 19t3. when the late J. W. P. Hunt
ington, Ben Simpson, and other parties,
purchased the Statesman office of Bush
and Nesmith, and with D. W. Craig, of
the Argus, which paper was then pub
lished in Salem, formed the Oregon
Printing and lublishing company, incor
porated under the laws of the State.
The new company continued the publi
cation of the Statesman, and supported
the government unconditionally in the
war for the suppression of the rebellion,
A few years before this jieriod the paper
had received an entirely new dress, and
an Adams power press had been procured
to print its already large edition. This
was the first power press ever brought to
Oregon. The interest of the people in
the war then at the height of its intensi
ty, and the desire to supply the public
demand for the latest news from the
East, induced the publishers to under
take the issue of a daily edition. Ac
cordingly, the first number of the Daily
was issued July 19, coming out as
au afternoon journal. Tbe latest dis
patches, up to the hour of going to press.
were received, aud all the local news of
interest was given. Uut the additional
expense was too great to warrant the
continuance of the dai'y issue, and so it
was discontinued on tbe 20th of Novem
ber, 14, iHst four months after the first
number was printed In addition to the
regular editorial force, P. S. Knight was
employed as assistant editor, tlm vig
orous and pungent style added so mnch
to the interest of the paper that he was
offered a permanent position as editor.
His education and literary tastes, how
ever, led him to another field of labor,
and he declined the proposition. Jos.
Gaston, Esq.. who had but lately become
a resident of this city, was next employ
ed as editor. For near two years he was
retained in that position, to the satisfac
tion of tbe paper and its patrons. He
was a ready, versatile writer, and well in
formed upon every subject of general in
terest In the meantime, by the pur
chase of the interests of other sharehold
ers, D. W. Craig had become practically
the proprietor and business manager of
the Statesman, and he and Mr. Gaston
labored in harmeny together, until the
subsequent sale of the former's interest
in tbe establishment dissolved their
connection.
It was during this time that the youth
ful Fred. Schwatka was employed "in the
office as mailing clerk. The work of ad
dressing the papers then was done with
pen and pencil, but in this business
Fred was quite an adept He remained'
at this post until a short time previous
to his appointment as cadet in the United
States military academy at West Point.
He was qnite a diffident boy, aud rather
inclined to mischief, but he showed no
signs of possessing the spirit of adven
ture that has since prompted him to
roam in hyperborean regions. He was
given to studying mathematics and to
writing '"poetry," and was proficient in
both occupations, although the two are
as opposite as the poles. His effusions
were sent anonymously, through the post
office, to the Statesman, but only a pass
ing notice was accorded to them, and
often, while at his desk, the youth
would, with inexpressible anguish, see
his cherished poems unceremoniously
pitched into the fire, before his astonished
gaze, by tbe practical but unsentimental
publisher.
In August, Wfu Ben Simpson bought
the interest of Mr. Craig in the paper,
and installed his sons Sylvester C. and
Samuel L. as editors and managers.
This venture of Mr. Simpson's was pure
ly political in its nature, its object being
to accomplish tbe re-election of J. W.
Nesmith to the United States Senate,
but the attempt miserably failed; and
was financially disastrous to Mr. Simp
son. The editorials of the young men
were models of graceful and scholarly
composition, but they themselves had no
taste for newspaper work, and at the
close of the year Mr. Simpson sold out
to W. A. McPherson k Co., who were
publishing the Unionist in this city, and
this was the end of the Oregon Printing
and Publishing company. After several
changes, tbe jmoer finally fell into the
hands of J. W. P. Huntington, the super
intendent of Indian affairs for Oregon,
under whose charge it remained until
the time of his death, in the spring of
Vfi. In Angnst following, the admin
wtrator of Huntington's estate sold the
newspaper to S. A. Clarke, who changed
the name back to the Statesman, and
proceeded to enlarge the journal, and to
increase ite capacity for news. Mr. Clarke
was widely known in literary circles as a
graceful and accomplished writer, and he
was favored besides with much and va
ried journalistic experience, having been
editor of the Daily Oregonian, and also
of the Salem Daily Record, and for sev
eral years m regular correspondent of the
Sacramento Union, New York Times, and
many other Eastern journals. The town
and countrv bad made rapid strides in
prosperity, but Mr. Clarke kept the paper
abreast of tbe tide, and lost no opportu
nity to extend its usefulness. Under
his' management it was distinctly repub
lican in its political character and was
largely snores fnl as a business venture,
which was solely due to his own efforts,
for Mr. Clark was his own business man
ager, as well as editor. It nisy be stated
that the publication of the daily edition
was resumed in March. lHtiS, and has
been continued without interruption un
til the present time. A fine job office
was connected with the paper up to the
time of the administrator's sale, but the
same was bought by A. L. Stinsou, who
united the best of the material with his
own office, which eventually went into
the hands of E M. Waite, who yet runs
the same.
In the spring of 1872 Mr. Clarke sold
the office to C P. Craudall, who publish
ed the paper until December 1873. when
it fell into the hands of Clarke & Craig,
of the Willamette Farmer. The latter
soon discovered thnt they had bought
into a vexatious lawsuit, but they pnlv
lished the paper until some time iu April,
1874, when, by the decision of the court,
the office was returned to Crandall. It
soon passed into the hands of a company,
with Capt. L. S. Scott as business man
ager, and C B. MeDonald as editor. E.
O. Norton was afterward installed as bus
iness manager and local editor. In 1875,
Capt. A. H. Waters and brother bought
the Statesman office, and carried on the
publication of the, jwjwr, with W. H. H.
Waters as editor, untU June, 1K77, when
W. H. Odell purchased the establish
ment, and fitted the office out with an en
tire new dress. Mr. Odell kept up his
ownership of the paper for over seven
years, retiring finally in August, 1884.
For brief periods of time he had succes
sively as partners. Jackson. Geo. E.
Good. C W. Watts, Geo. Dorris, and A.
Gesner. From July, 181, until Decem
ber, lSi2, Reuben P. Boise, Jr., and Whit
ney I, boise were business managers and
local editors, and were succeeded ly A.
Gesner. All of these gentlemen were
successful in these departments, and tbe
local columns were kept full of life while
they had charge. In August 188,1, .
H. Byars, the state printer, bought one
half of the office, aud took the business
duties on himself, with H. H. Hendricks,
then lately graduated from tbe rtate uni
versify, as local editor. Each proved
himself a success in his position, and es
pecially Mr. Hendricks, who, though a
total stranger in the city at the begin
ning of his career as a journalist here.
made a remarkably lively local page
On the 18th of August 1884, Mr. tklell
sold his half of the Statesman office to
R. J. Hendricks and George H. Sauliert,
two voung men from Rosebnrg, the for
mer liecoming business manager and lo
cal editor and the latter taking clrffrge as
foreman of the mechanical department.
Mr. Odell fetired from the office, aud was
soon thereafter appointed postmaster at
Salem, which position he now holds.
While under his control, the paper fully
maintained its character as an able ex
ponent of republican policy, the editor
ials being mainly devoted to questions
that bad a national bearing. Mr. Udell s
writings were deeply studied, logical,
and argumentative, devoid of offensive
epithets, and courteous to political op
ponents. In December of the same year
Mr. Bvars disposed of his interest in tbe
office to D. V. Craig, whieh the hitter
retained until September, 1885, when he
sold the same to bis partners, and shortlv
thereafter the "Statesman Publishing
Company was incorporated, under which
organization Mr. Hendricks is editor aud
business manager, and Mr. Saubert fore
man. The paper is now meeting with
unprecedented prosperity, both in the
subscription and advertising depart
ments, which sufficiently shows that its
course commends itself to public ap
proval.
The press noon which the Statesman
is now printed was purchased in Chicago
in 1S71, for the Willamette Farmer, by
the late A. L. Stinsou, and was used in
the publication of that paper until the
latter part of 1872, when it was sold to
the proprietor of this office, who had pre
viously disposed of the Adams power
press to the state printer. Eugene bem-
ple It was afterward bought by A. G
Walling, and taken to Portland, for use
in his job office. In January, 18,4.
Messrs. Clarke k Craig first applied
steam to the printing of the Statesman,
but upon tbe return of the office to its
former publisher, the power of muscle
was again resorted to, which was kept up
until December, 1883, when Messrs. Odell
& Bvars purchased a steam engine from
E. M. Waite, and set the same up in the
press-room of the office, thus permanently
dispensing with the services of Hiram
Gorman, who had steadily acted as the
motive power of the Statesman printing
press for twelve successive yearn, lie
was loath to depart from the press-room
however, which had been a second home
to him for so many years, and he yet
lingers about its noisy precincts, and is
mghtlv busied in the light work of fold
ing the Dailv sheets as they come from
the press. The present proprietors have
in contemplation the purchase of a new
steam engine as well as a new press.
Their growing business will necessitate
this measure at no distant day, as, in
addition to their own large editions, they
do the press work for four other news
papers, with a likelihood of an increased
number of publications in the near
future.
We have now gone through the history
of the Statesman, in chronological order,
and have noted, as accurately as possible,
from memory alone, in the absence of all
regular files, the various chauges in its
proprietors and editors, from tbe date of
its inception to the present time, embrac
ing a period of nearly thirty-six years.
Of many incidents, both serious and
amusing, that might have proved inter
eating in the recital, we have refrained
from speaking, out of regard for the act
ors therein, some of whom are vet living,
while others have crossed the narrow line
between time and eternity. Perhaps,
when this paper shall celebrate its semi
centennial anniversary, in the year 1'tOl,
it will then be in order for some curious
chronicler to recount in full, f'V'he
amusemeut of himself and bis reiiV'rs,
its unwritten history, in its cornice
with that of the times. In such an eve
the foregoing summary may serve as
basis for that of the period which it cov
ers. We may say. however, in passing,
that the Statesman has been remarkable
for the number of its editors and propri
etors who have risen to high and honor
able positions in the government, and, in
deed, in this resjiect, its career may tie
said to be unexampled in all tbe previous
History ot journalism. One of its editors
became successively representative in con
gress, governor of the state, and United
States senator, five of its stockholders at
different times were elected to the United
States senate, and another held a seat in
the national house of representatives.
while of those who asuired to such ex
alted stations, and fell short ot their de
sires, it would tie needless to speak, and
pernaps tiresome to enumerate. It is to
be regretted thnt the allotted time and
space for this article are insufficient for
adequate mention of tbe many talented
writers who have contributed "from their
stores of literary wealth to these col
umns, in the punt years. Their influence,
however, though unseen aud unnoted,
has nevertheless been as the fallinc of the
dew upon the earth. And, in closing, we
shall add that the aim of the present pro
prietors is to lie foremost in every move
ment for jiie advancement of the moral
and material interests of the countrv.
and, with that end in view, they will
spare neither pains nor f xjiense in hold
ing tne paper up to the required standard.
CAI'ITAl. NATIONAL BANK.
A Krlrf History ot thbt Klnaurlal luotltu
Hon An Kurrctlr Katrine House.
Paring the summer of 1SS5, K. S. Wl
Uue arrived in Salrm from Greeley, Colo
rado, nd soou thereafter, he, in couneution
with Hon. A. A. MuCully, J. M. Martini
W. T. Gray, W. W. Martin. W. J. Pulley.
Squire Farrar, and John H. Albert, organ-
ikki toe uapital Aattotiai nnk, ot lem.
Oregon, with a capital of f 75,000. On Octo
ber 30, tin bank was given authority by
the comptroller of the currcnev for the
United States to commence business. On
January 13. 1SS6, Hon. A. A. MoCully, R.
S. Wallace, hq.. Dr. H. Carpenter. N . W.
Martin, W. T. Orsy. J. M. Martin, and J.
H. Albert were elected uirector, and K. S.
n a; lace president, A. A. .McCully, vice
president, and J. H. Albert, cashier, Mr,
Alliert having resigned the position of cash
ier nf Ladd & Bush s bank to associate hira
If with the Capital National bank.
The bank aecun d the room at So3 Com
mercial street, and fitted up a hue banking
r.icm, with parlor in toe rear, and put in
the latest improved nre-proof vault, and
burglar proof safe with time look. Since its
inueption, this bank baa gradus ly gathered
in aad increased its business, until to-dsy
trie Capital National ranks with the leading
financial institutions of the northwest. In
August last Hon. A. A. McCnilv wsx killed
by the kick of a home, and I'r. H. Carpen
ter succeeded him rice president, and H
V. Watshews elected director. The
Capital National bank has been very ener
getic in many ways since its establishment
and many improvements of interest or value
to kalem have been aided by it Id the
bridge matter. President Wallace and ctah
ier Albert took a very active intin-est, and
their labors did mnub toward securing its
completion.
I). W. MATTHEWS Co.
Dealer In Drain, I'aUtat Metlit'lue, Sta
tionery, etc
Among the leading business firms of this
city, is found 1). W. Matthews ft Co. This
firm has a gsod'ehare of the local drug trade,
and is rapidly increasing its business by a
proper business-like treatment of their cus
tomers. Their store is at 106 State street.
where they always have on hand a full and
complete assortment of drugs, medicines,
fine toilet goods, perfumes ia bulk and in
mail jars, trusses and shoulder braces. They
alio keep a fice line of clinical thermome
ter and hyperdemic syiinges. They ,nike
a specialty of fine pocket knives, of which
they keep a stock of the finest quality, in
pearl and o'her fancy handles; also tbe best
grade of razors. Of stationery, they have a
large stock, including school books, pape-
tenea, blank books, etc. lo each person
purchasing an ounce of perfumes from bulk,
they make present of a fine cnt-glaes toilet
jar. Ibis nrm is auo introducing Jbuxenio,
a new perfume extract I be hrm consists
of D. W. Matthews and L. F. Willitr, both
very agreeable gentlemen, and men of excel
lent business qualification, and they are
rapidly increasing their trade by steady per
sonal application to their business.
THE FAKMEBM (TORE.
Forittner, Ttftnuy, A Co., Proprietor.
and
liealera In General MercUandlse.
This firm has bten in business now for a
little over a year, and has gradually drawn
heavy trade to itself. Mr. Tiffany, who is
the manager, ia an active and energetic busi
ness man, and is an effective salesman. The
store ia well named "The Farmers' Store,1'
as on its shelves can be found every th-ng
tnat a farmer could possibly want to eat,
drink or wear. Forstner, Tiffany ft Co. are
amenta for the Athland woolen mills, of
Ashland, Oregon, and they carry a full and
complete stock ot Ablnd cassiuiers, blank
ets, hosiery, yarns, and other woolen goods.
besides having a cam p let e aud well selected
stock of general merchandise, which includes
men s and boys cbthing, gents furnishing
goods, staple end fancy dry goods, notions.
suple and fancy groceries, crockery and
ClsMware, table and pocket cutlery, snd an
excellent assortment of boots and shoes.
Tbe 'tore is located at 93 State street, near
t ie corner of Commercial.
WILLIAM & ENGLAND.
Ten years ago, Col. Geo. Williams,
and William England, both residents of
Marion county for over thirty years, 1
gan a general banking business in Halem.
The firm of Williams & England tiow
ranks among the wealthiest and most
solid business firms of the city. They
dc- banking and general financial busi
ness at 'SHH Commercial street. Both
members of tbe firm have been, at differ
ent times, and are now interested in
some of the heaviest corporate enter
prises in Salem, and everything with
which they have been connected has
proved successful, largely, in each case,
due to their personal efforts.
THE OLD SCOTCH VEESIOX OF IT.
A lady in Scotland sends the following
version of "Now 1 lay me down to sleep,"
to the Brooklyn Magazine:
This night, when I lie down to sleep,
I gi'e my soul to Christ to keep,
1 wake a noo, 1 wake a never,
I gi'e my soul to Christ forever.
This is a better prayer for tbe Christian
than the one our children use.
JOHN G. WRIGHT.
The I'ionver Grwwry Store of SaJeuv
gnutaed In 1857.
With the immigration of 1853.
Hon.
John G. Wright, ex mayor of Salem, came
to this oity, and, in 1857, he established
a grocery in the old business house that
stood where is now located, the Chemekste'
hiud. In the Utter part of that year, he
moved up to near the center of the row on
tne east suie oi immerciaj between State '
and Ferry street, where be conolidated i
with Chaa. UcGinn. He enly remained'
here one yr, however, disposing of bis
interest the hiiainfuui tKm fi Rtm,!'
in tbe autumn of 1S5S.
After being out of business for ust three
days, he bought out Charles Uzafovage,
who was doing a grocery business where
Mr. Wright's present business is located,
now 227, 22!) Commercial street. After a
few years, Mr. Uzafovage became a partner
with Mr. Wright in the same business, and
continued so until 1871, when he retired
from the firm to enter another line of trade,
and leaving Mr. Wright alone. During
the time they were partners, (in 1966) a fire
destroyed their store, and stock, causing
the firm loss of fc000. Not to be put
down by a little thing like that, however,
they immediately set about the erection of
the store building in which Mr. Wright is
still doing business. In 1878, E. L. Erie
tow became associated with Mr. Wright ia
the bosineas, but withdrew, again leaving
Mr. Wright aole proprietor. In? January,
1880. Since that time, Mr. Wright has con
tinued to conduct the business ot this, the
pioneer grocery of Salem, under the name
and style of J. G. Wright
Mr. Wright has always on hit ahelves
and in his warehouse as complete a stock of
fancy and staple groceries, provisions, pro
duce, fruits and vegetables, notions, fins
crockery and glassware, lamps, etc., as one
could possibly wish to find; and everything
one wsnts that properly belongs to any of
these lines of goods can be found there.
Mr Wright has gentlemanly employees,
who are always ready to show auythimg or
sell anything to the enquiring customer.
For the past three years, Mr. Wright has
been devoting a gud deal of bis personal
time and attention to the tale of 'George
Kteiritt's Wslla Walla garden, grass and
field seeds," for which he it general
spent. This is a new departure, but Mr.
Wright has found it very satisfactory, doing
an uioreated business each succeeding year.
He, as genersl arent, has the wholesale and
retail depot for Western Oregon and
Western Washington Territory for these
seeds, from which he supplies his customers
iu those sections, llurtng the past three
seasons, Mr. Wright has traveled over pret
ty nearly the wh ie of that part of Oregon
and Washington Territory lying west of the
Cascade Mountains, until now these seeds
are used in nearly every part of those dis
tricta, and ia now the principal garden seed
told on the Pacific Coast.
J. M. MAKTIN .
The
Oldeot Exelnslve Groevry Boumi
balem KatablUhed in 1863.
la
Tbe oldest established honte in Salem
devoted exclusively to the sale of groceries
k that of J. M. Martin & Co. at 257 Com
mereml street, which boars date from the
year 1805. The business was first opened on
Novembers, 185, by JM. Martin iy3avid
Allen, who continued to conduct the busi
iieni under the name of Martin k Alien un
til October 11, Itwa, when J . W. Cox became
a partner in the -linn, bv purchasing Mr,
Aiien's intuit. Since it began bunineee,
this firm ha.- confined Hxelf exclusively to
groceries and provision", not handling any
ouUide lines ot goodn at all, and this is tha
only grocery firm in Salem now, or ever to
doing. The buiiiiei ie still conducted in the
name store room in which Martin & Allen
first began buMiiesc at 257 Commercial
street.
J. M. Martin A Co. always have on hand
a complete and well selected' ttock of family
groceries, vegetable, and truits (California
in season j, cigars and tobacco; and they
hold their immense trade by fair dealing,
snd a due courtesy to their customers. They
aiso make a specialty of the celebrated
"State" baking powder, manufactured at the
Cleveland Laboratory in Cleveland
by Stuart & Schneider.
Ohio,
BOTH KI PP.
CoinmiiwioB MerrhanUi. Groceries,
provisions, Produce, etc.
and
These young gentlemen are rapidly mak
ing their way into the ranks among the lead
ing commission nierohaots and grocer of
Salem. Though they have bees ia bnauaeat
here for a few months, comparatively, yet
in that time they have established a repu
tation for honesty and integrity, eoupled
with a never ceasing business vigilance, that
any house, no matter nf how Ion; standing,
migm ne proua oi. i neir traae nat graas
ally increased, from the time they began '
biintnMS m.nA tliv km rlotnr, VArvthin tr
, j e ---v
can to give satisfaction to their customers.
They always keep on their ahelver a fuL'
stock of groceries, crockery, glassware, cigar
and tobacca, provisions and vegetables and
other produce. The; aiso buy aud tell oats,
hay, straw, wheat, mill-feed, and all kind?
of grains and feeds. Their store is oa the
northwest corner o' Stats and Liberty
streets.
LEO WILLI8.
The
I'rineipal Keal Estate Ageucy In
fcaleui Fire Insurance, etc.
. Leo Willi", who ia agent for the Phoenix
Fire Insurance Co., ot Hartford, Conn., the
Home Fire Insurance Co., of New York,
which companies issue joint policies, the
North Bri'ish and Mercantile Fire Insur
ance Company, besides several other of the
leading fire underwriting compsuiea doing
business in the Uoited States, is also the
only person actively engaged in the real es
tate business in Salem. Persons having
forms or other real property which they
wish to sell, will find Mr. Willis ready to
undertake to dispose of the same for them.
He alaonego'istes loans and does a ireneral
brokerage business. Office at 113 Court
street, iu Reed's opera houte block.
J. G. FONTAINE.
The refreshment parlors over which
the gentleman, w hose name heads this
article, presides, are located at 111 State
street, near Liberty, and are fitted up in
every way, so that a visitor may find
them pleasant. The finest liquors, wines,
and cigars are always kept on bund, and
as for real fine mixed drinks, Mr. Fon
taine is fully up with the times To-day
he will make a specialty of Tom and
Jerry.
3