Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/275

 HISTORIC SITES IN EUGENE AND MONUMENTS. 267 but dissensions arose, the charter of the college was abandoned, ' * and Columbia College was no more. ' ' Now the public school idea began to grow in favor, but there was a constant demand for a high school department, this demand being traceable to the academic work of Columbia College. Just as some of the most ardent advocates of the high school were planning steps to secure such a school for Eugene, the, question of the location of the State University appeared on the educational horizon, and all efforts were bent towards securing that institution for Eugene. The story of this struggle is familiar to us all and the reward of these early champions of higher education is found on our campus. Here is an added reason why the site of Columbia College should be marked, for out of it grew, indirectly, the University of Oregon, which should be and is the foremost educational in- stitution in the State. Wherever settlements have been made within territory be- longing to the United States, Uncle Sam's strong arm has ex- tended its protection over his people and courts of justice have been organized. The beginning of judicial history, then, should be the third event to be commemorated. The spot to be marked is the one where the first trial by jury was held. On this point, the old settlers have many and different opinions. For this reason, we beg your kindly indulgence while we review briefly the first three sessions of district court held in Eugene. The following facts are copied from the official court records now on file in the county clerk's office : The first session of "District Court of the United States in and for the county of Lane in the Second Judicial District of the Territory of Oregon, begun at Eugene City in said county, on the 15th day of March 1852. 0. C. Pratt, presid- ing judge; E. F. Skinner, clerk; R. P. Boise, prosecuting attorney. ' ' It further appearing to the Court that no District Attor- ney on behalf of the United States was in attendance upon the Court, it was therefore ordered by the Court that R. P.