Correspondence of Asahel Bush (1824-1913), primarily typescript or microfilm copies of letters sent to him. Bush was an early emigrant to Oregon, editor of the Oregon Statesman from 1851 to 1863, and a significant figure in 1850s Oregon Democratic Party politics.

Typescript copy of a speech delivered by Stephen James Chadwick at the annual meeting of the Oregon Historical Society, October 25, 1930, containing reminiscences of his childhood in Roseburg, Oregon, his friendship with Jesse Applegate, and other topics. Chadwick (1863-1931) was born in Roseburg and later was a lawyer, judge, and state Supreme Court justice in Washington. He was the son of Stephen Fowler Chadwick, who served as Oregon secretary of state and Oregon governor.

Papers of Samuel A. Clarke (1827-1909) and Harriet T. Clarke (1832-1890), including diaries, correspondence, writings, and genealogical materials. Samuel A. Clarke came to Oregon in 1850, and worked in the newspaper industry. In 1852, he married Harriet Talcott Buckingham, who had come to Oregon in 1851.

Letters sent to Harvey Gordon (1828-1862), primarily concerning Oregon and U.S. politics. Gordon designed the state seal of Oregon, and was elected Oregon state printer in 1862 but died before taking office.

Collection includes two manuscript letters from Samuel R. Thurston, dated December 9, 1850, and January 16, 1851, the latter also containing a manuscript copy of a letter from William P. Bryant to William J. Brown, concerning the hand bill of John McLoughlin. Also included is a manuscript copy of a March 14, 1851, letter from Jesse Applegate.

A small collection of papers of the Oregon historian and author Frances Fuller Victor, including: correspondence with early emigrants to Oregon Jesse Applegate and Jessy Q. Thornton; typescript of a poem; a copy of her work "The Women's War with Whisky"; and a scrapbook of reviews of Victor's works.