Is gentle kindliness of soul—that is her chiefest charm.
Goodness and beauty joined in one, Love's deep devotion claims;
Such has the subject of my song—she's Belle of Wasco Plains.
3
Rob Roy Parrish of Independence
Rob Roy Parrish, whose full name was Rob Roy McGregor Parrish, entertained poetic fancies while he made harness amidst the fresh, leathery smells of his shop at Independence. He was born in Ohio on January 15, 1846, but at the age of eight moved to Iowa, where he mastered the harness trade. In 1863, at the age of 17, he crossed the plains to Oregon with his brother. They came to Salem but left the next day for Independence. There for 27 years the poet made bridles, halters, reins, traces and all the articles of gear worn by many hard-working horses in Polk county and across the river in Marion. In 1900 he left for California, where he lived until his tragic death in 1924. On March 11 of that year, after a period of deep despondency, he took his own life in a boarding house at Schulavista. The Oregonian of March the 12th, giving a report from San Diego, stated that Parrish had been there for some time, coming "with a few hundred dollars which he deposited in a bank. Saturday he drew his last $10 and remarked to the paying teller at the time that it meant the end of everything for him. Among his effects was found a copy of the last song he wrote and in this he predicted death for himself. The verse said that spring was calling for the youth and that the fields were bright for the maid,
And I pass into the night."
His 159-page book, Echoes from the Valley, was published by George H. Himes in Portland in 1884.
Steaming up the Bright Willamette
From Echoes from the Valley
In the happy month of May,
When the verdant hills and mountains
Form a picture bright and gay.
