who was postmaster general of the United States from 1893 to 1895. Wilson Shannon Bissell was born in New London, New York, in 1847, and was appointed to the cabinet was a practicing lawyer at Buffalo, where he was a partner of Grover Cleveland. During his incumbency as postmaster general a number of improvements were made in the postal service, including a cut in transcontinental mail time, and the turning over to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing the work of printing postage stamps, previously done by private agencies. In 1902 he was made chancellor of the University of Buffalo, and died in 1903.
Black Butte, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties. This imposing butte is one of the most important landmarks in the Deschutes Valley, not only on account of its characteristic dark color, but also on account of its symmetry. It stands well apart from the peaks of the Cascade Range, and has an elevation of about 7000 feet, with a Forest Service lookout at the summit, which is in Jefferson County. From its north base flows the Metolius River, full bodied from giant springs. It is not known who named Black Butte, but the appelation is fitting. It had this name as early as 1855, and an interesting picture of it shown in Pacific Railroad Reports, volume VI, page 90.
Black Hills, Klamath County. These hills occupy a number of square miles in the southeastern part of the Klamath Indian Reservation and were named on account of their characteristic color. They have a maximum elevation of about 6300 feet.
Black Rock, Polk County. Black Rock is on the western end of a branch line of the Southern Pacific Company extending southwesterly from Dallas. It is on the Little Luckiamute River. It is generally believed this town was named because of a ledge of black shale rock which is exposed nearby.
