Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/502

 he peo-

pie learned they had fmally recognized and given the protection of the United States, with the "Marion of the Mexican War" as governor, half of the able bodied men had rushed off to the gold mines of California.

As characteristic of the people and the times, the following lines contributed at that time to the "Oregon Spectator" by John Carey of Yamhill county, a pioneer of 1847, who wrote over the signature of "0. P. Q." is given here as veritable history:

Come hither, Muse, and tell the news.

Nor be thou a deceiver. But sing in plain poetic strains

The present "yellow fever".

And then I looked, and lo ! I saw

A Herald bright advancing — A being from some other clime

On golden pinions dancing.

And as he neared the mighty crowd

He made this proclamation In tones so clear, distinct and loud

It startled half the nation.

"Whj^ do you labor here," he cried,

"For merely life and pleasure. While just beyond that mountain gray

Lies wealth beyond all measure?

The road is plain, the way is smooth,

'Tis neither rough nor thorny; Come, leave this nigged vale and go

With me to California.

There wealth untold is bought and sold

And each may be partaker ! Where fifty tons of finest gold

Are dug from every acre ! ' '

At sound of gold both young and old

Forsook their occupation. And wild confusion seemed to rule

In every situation.

An old cordwainer heard the news,

And though not much elated. He left his pile of boots and shoes

And just evaporated.