bush arrived in oregon in late 1850 at portland and settled in oregon city. once his printing press arrived, he started the "oregon statesman" newspaper in march 1851. in 1853, the capital was moved to salem and bush moved the newspaper there as well, where it would later become the salem "statesman journal". at this time newspapers were partisan instruments used to further political parties. bush's use of his paper gave him the nickname of "bushy bush" and he often sparred with the rival party's newspaper "the oregonian" edited by thomas j. dryer. though he defended slavery, he supported the union during the american civil war. in 1859, bush became the first official printer for the state of oregon. he left the newspaper business in 1863 when he sold the newspaper.