tioned in
the papers received from the states, while California, Deseret, and New Mexico engrossed a very considerable part of public attention."
On July nth, the size was increased to twenty columns and on July 25th, to twenty-four columns. In this issue appears a prospectus of The Oregon States- man. After stating what it is going to be in religion, in morals, and in politics, which it says will be democratic, — the prospectus goes on to say that "The States- man will be 116 inches larger than The Spectator," and places the subscription price at the lowest mark — $7 per annum, and $4 for six months. It was to be published weekly at Oregon City by Henry Russell and A. W. Stockwell. The Spectator of August 8th, contains the announcement that a whig journal — The Oregonian — is to be published at Portland by T. J. Dryer, a "stump speaker of power and a pungent writer." On September 5th Blain ended his career as editor.
Mr. Blain was born in Ross county, Ohio, February, 28, 1813. He was gradu- ated at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in 1835. He completed the full course of study at the Associate Reformed Theological Seminary at Allegheny, Pennsyl- vania, was licensed to preach by the first Presbytery of Ohio on April 18, 1838, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Chillicothe, Ohio, October 17, 1839. He had pastoral charge of the congregation at Hebron, Indiana, until May 15, 1847, when he began preparing for the journey to Oregon as a missionary. He started on May 8, 1848, and arrived at Oregon City on November 29th. Soon after- wards he organized a small church — the first of his denomination in Oregon. On June 6, 1849, he was elected to the upper branch of the first territorial legisla- ture. In November, 1850, Mr. Blain removed to Union Point, Linn County, and organized a church over which he was installed pastor in 1853. He was a prime mover in the organization of the United Presbyterian church there. He established an academy at Union Point, in which he was manager and teacher until 1856. These exacting duties, in connection with his ministry, injured his health, and he died on February 22, 1861.
On September 12, 1850, the Spectator was first issued weekly with B. J. Schnebly, as editor, and the subscription price raised to $7 per annum.
On September 26th, the paper was again reduced to 16 columns, and the editor says:
"This is a matter of perplexity to us and a great disappointment to our sub- scribers ; but it is a mater over which we have no control. A large supply of paper is expected soon, as it has been seven months on the way from New York."
On October 17th, the former size is resumed, and the names of John Fleming and T. F. McElroy appear as printers; and on the 31st, the editor, in acknowl- edging the gift of a chair, says that it is the "first one that has been in this sanctum for seven weeks, and that the donors have a few more left at the rate of $30 per dozen."
On November 28, 1850, there appeared an advertisement for a railroad from "Milton and St. Helens to Lafayette," and the enterprise if referred to as a "brilliant chance for investment," and in the opinion of "competent judges," the cost is estimated at $500,000. The advertisement goes on to say that "From the unusual amount of stock taken abroad, and from the fact that every possible arrangement has been made for its speedy completion, it is confidently believed that the work will be finished in six months." The advertisement is signed by W. H. Tappan, St. Helens, and Crosby & Smith, Milton. An "N. B." is added to the notice in which it is stated, in italics, that "It is almost useless to add that the terminus of this road should be at a point that can be reached with safety by large vessels at any season and any state of the river" — a thrust at the preten- tions of the village of Portland to be a commercial point.
Beginning with Vol. VI, No. i, September 9, 185 1, Mr. Schnebly became owner of the Spectator. In November following he secured C. P. Culver as associ- ate editor. At this time T. F. McElroy and C. W. Smith were the printers. A few weeks later T. D. Watson and G. D. R. Boyd became the printer
