ferent denominations give evidence of the prosperity of these organizations.
The great flood of the winter of 1889–90 carried away a fine bridge which connected the city with the country opposite, but it is being replaced by one more costly. An excellent water-power is furnished by a canal, only about one-third of which is utilized by two large flouring-mills, a fifty-thousand-dollar woollen-mill, lumber-mills, and sash- and door-factories. The wages paid to operatives in the different industries is three hundred thousand dollars per annum. The city is furnished with water-works and street-car lines; has the navigable river on its front, and the Southern Pacific at its back; and will soon, it is believed, be connected by railroad with Astoria by the sea.
Of the two or more newspapers published in Salem, the Statesman is the eldest. In the early history of the State it was a power, ably conducted, and unrelentingly Democratic. Its founder is at present a banker in this city and a "bloated bondholder," but delights in reminiscences of the time when the Statesman ruled Oregon. Its files contain a complete history of the State for ten years,—from 1851 to 1861. Salem has no public library, even the State library being sadly deficient, and the State archives needing care.
It is needless to say, that with all the advantages named, Salem is the centre of a wealthy and important section of the Wallamet Yalley. There are eighteen or twenty small towns in Marion County, each the centre of a farming community.
The government has an Indian school at Chemawa, a few miles north of Salem, where the sons and daughters of Indian parents are trained for civilized life. There are a number of buildings of a modern appearance, and a farm and orchard under improvement. The superintendent reports to the government the condition of his charge, and I believe the scheme is reasonably successful, considering the antecedents of the pupils.
About twenty miles above Salem the Wallamet receives the Santiam River, which separates Marion from Linn County. The county-seat of Linn is Albany, ten miles farther south, which is at the head of low-water navigation. Between Salem and Albany are several small places, chiefly on the west side of the river. Buena Vista is a thriving place, and manufactures
