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inj? asseml)led made the laws that governed them. He took the western fever in 1850 and started for Oregon, reaching Portland in September of the same year, and in the spring of 1851 issued the first copy of the Oregon " Statesman" at Oregon City. Tt was not until 1853 that the paper was moved to Salem, and Mr. Bush continued as its editor until 1860. As a journalist, Mr. Bush has few equals and no superiors on the northwest coast. His editorials were extensively copied, and wielded a powerful in- ilueuce, and are often quoted even at this late day. He was a pungent writer, indulging freely in cutting sarcasm and criticism, and the paper was largely sought after and of great political influence while under his edi- torial management. He was Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives in the session of 1850 1, which was held in Oregon City, and was Territorial Printer from 1851 to 1859, at which time Oregon was admitted to the Union, and State Printer from that time until 1863. In this office Mr. Bush, by careful management, succeeded in saving some money, with which, after disposing of the " Statesman," he became a silent partner in the merchan- dising establishment of L. Heath & Co., at Salem. In 1868 he associated himself with Hon. W. S. Ladd, of Portland, and established the banking house of Ladd & Bush, with which he is still connected, and of which he is the resident manager. He is also President of the Salem Flouring Mills Company and the Oregon City Flouring Mills Company, both of which are important business enterprises in our midst. As a financier, Mr. Bush is considered very successful, and understands thoroughly the art of making money. He is gifted with an active mind and unusual power of forethought. He is quick to detect an advantage, and, while willing to indulge in risks to a certain degree, is nevertheless endowed with sufficient cautionary facul- ties to insure him against serious loss in any business transaction. He is apt to want his own, and has his enemies as a natural consequence, but he fears no man, and is considered strictly honest and honorable in his trans- actions. When properly approached, Mr. Bush is lil)eral hearted and gives freely of his abundance. He is somewhat peculiar, however, and is strong in his likes and dislikes. He never forgets a friend and rarely forgives one who has knowingly and purposely done him an injury. He has done much towards improving Salem, and when not directly opposed to his business interests, he never refuses to contribute to its advancement. He is by some considered cold and austere, but what little he possesses of these traits were born and bred in him, as he is not given to affectation. His life has not been all sunshine by any means, and during late years he has been more or less wrapped up in his own family. He has a warm heart, however, for those who reach it, and those who know him are enthusiastic in his praise. His enemies, and he who has no enemies does not amount to much, can never harm him. He is impregnable to their abuse and cares less for it than do his friends, who oft times realize the abuse is unjust and unmer- ited. He is rather tall, of light build, a quick, nervous disposition, a glit- tering eye, which, at times, fairly twinkles with merriment, for he appre- ciates a joke most thoroughly, bristling brown hair, deeply tinged with gray, and full chin whiskers and short mustache. His life is more or less
