Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 21.djvu/98



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by leaning long planks against a pole which was supported by pegs driven in two oak trees. 31

Bishop E. R. Ames appointed Jas. H. Wilbur to go into the Umpqua Valley and organize a mission in March, 1853. Wilbur's general idea was that schools of the academic type should be established all over the conference as "feeders" for Willamette University. It was this idea which had governed him in the establishment of Portland Academy in 1851. Now his first plan in carrying out his work in the Umpqua Valley was to found a school.

When he arrived at Bunton's Gap, he immediately took up a land claim. This was in the fall of 1853. Sometime in the year 1854, the Umpqua Academy was a reality. It was on Wilbur's claim in a small log building built by his own hands, a repetition of the creation of Portland Academy. Rev. Jas. H. B. Royal and his sister were the teachers, the prin- cipal and preceptress Royals served two years. They were fol- lowed by Addison R. Flint.

Immediately, Wilbur set about the erection of a permanent building in a suitable location. This was accomplished by 1857. At this time the school was moved into the large white two-story building upon the side of Lincoln mountain over- looking the village of Wilbur. The town of Bunton's Gap had been renamed in honor of the preacher. In fact he was popularly known as "Father Wilbur," here as well as else- where in the state.

In the same year, the territorial legislature passed an act 32 incorporating the Academy. The following men were named as Trustees: Jas. H. Wilbur, Jas. O. Raynor, Hon. M. P. Deady, Addison R. Flint, Benjamin J. Grubbe, Willis Jenkins, Fleming R. Hill, John Kuy Kendall (Kuykendall) and William Royal. The yearly income was limited to $10,000 and the in- stitution placed under the supervision of the Methodist Church. Five members were a legal quorum.

In the second annual catalogue or bulletin, we find that

31 "History of Umpqua Academy" R. A. Booth. Oregon Historical Quar- terly, March, 1918, pp. 1-25. Same number contains articles by Geo. B. Kuyken- dall, Austin Mires and J. H. Booth on the Academy.

32 In archives of Oregon Historical Society, Portland.