Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/176



Among the educators of the pioneer days of Oregon, Professor E. P. Henderson is entitled to honorable mention. He came to Oregon while it was still a territory, and was engaged in his vocation as an instructor of Oregon youths for many years.

His first engagement, in the line of his profession in Oregon, was as principal of Columbia college, an institution which flourished at Eugene in the late fifties and early sixties of the last century.

It was my privilege to matriculate in that institution in the autumn of 1858, about a month after arriving at Eugene from California, and Professor E. P. Henderson was its headmaster at that time.

The building that was occupied that term by said college was built for a hotel, or tavern, as it was termed in those days, and was not as conveniently arranged for school purposes as was desirable, but as a makeshift it did passably well. This building was occupied that college year for the reason that the college edifice which had been erected on ground owned by the institution, on a hill about a mile southwest of the town, had been recently destroyed by fire. However, in spite of this incommodious housing, the school was efficiently organized, and the various branches of studies were prosecuted with a zeal and morale that were commendable. This result was largely due to the ability of Professor Henderson as an organizer, instructor and inspirer of his pupils.

Professor Henderson was instructor in physics, mathematics and the languages. There were two other tutors connected with the school, one of whom, Professor Geiger, taught the classes in philosophy, physical geography and cognate branches.