MINOR POETS FROM 1850 TO 1900
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member of the State Legislature for several terms. He died in Salem in 1915.
He wrote frequently for the Oregon Historical Quarterly. Although his Rhymes on Life in Oregon was not published in book form until 1909, the eleven pieces in it were written at various times from 1861 to 1896. The same collection appeared later, with the addition of some prose, under the title Rhymes of Early Life in Oregon and Historical and Biographical Facts.
The Oregon Cow-Boy's Song
Written in 1881
Come all young men, who ride the range where grows the fine bunch grass,
Who fondly think your love to be the sweetest, loveliest lass:
I'll sing you of one I esteem fit theme for poet's strains,
Who of all your beauties takes the pass as Belle of Wasco Plains.
There may be those as fair as she, but none such have I seen;
And forms as perfect there may be, but none where I have been.
With many a graceful, lovely lass I've danced to music's strains,
But of such Nellie takes the pass—she's Belle of Wasco Plains.
'Tis not the skin so smoothly fair, 'tis not the cheek so red,
'Tis not the wealth of auburn hair that crowns her stately head,
'Tis not the eyes of steely blue, beaming with luster rare,
And indicating power to love, to suffer, or to dare.
'Tis not the shapely hands and feet, the perfect bust and limbs,
Forming a beauty as complete as fills a sculptor's dreams,
Nor yet the grace of movement which from all attention gains,
But tis all of these combined that make her Belle of Wasco Plains.
Who fondly think your love to be the sweetest, loveliest lass:
I'll sing you of one I esteem fit theme for poet's strains,
Who of all your beauties takes the pass as Belle of Wasco Plains.
There may be those as fair as she, but none such have I seen;
And forms as perfect there may be, but none where I have been.
With many a graceful, lovely lass I've danced to music's strains,
But of such Nellie takes the pass—she's Belle of Wasco Plains.
'Tis not the skin so smoothly fair, 'tis not the cheek so red,
'Tis not the wealth of auburn hair that crowns her stately head,
'Tis not the eyes of steely blue, beaming with luster rare,
And indicating power to love, to suffer, or to dare.
'Tis not the shapely hands and feet, the perfect bust and limbs,
Forming a beauty as complete as fills a sculptor's dreams,
Nor yet the grace of movement which from all attention gains,
But tis all of these combined that make her Belle of Wasco Plains.
