Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 37.djvu/375

 "The scholastic year consists of one session commencing on the first Monday in September and ending about the first of August; at which time a most solemn distribution of premiums takes place, followed by an exhibition of specimens of writing, drawing, plain and fancy needle work, etc."

The above advertisement was probably more pretentious than the school itself. The gold rush had depopulated the town and land difficulties forced business to come to a standstill causing numerous additional hardships on the sisters. Few families were able to provide the school fees for their children so the school receipts were very meagre, even necessitating the sisters to seek a scanty subsistence by sewing sacks in the local mills. Then, too, because of the scanty population and the establishment of several other schools there existed little need for Catholic religious education. Consequently, we see that in 1853, a public auction is held to dispose of their earthly belongings including two pianos, one harp, and one guitar, which were undoubtedly used in their music courses.

Since the order was primarily an educational organization, it is little wonder they sought a more promising field and left the Oregon country for San Jose, California, where the opportunities were much brighter.

Olin Academy, although not located directly in Oregon City, exerted considerable influence in and around Oregon City as can be seen from the extensive advertisements in the Oregon City paper, the Oregon Argus. According to the notice the school was "situated on a delightful elevation of land, just three miles south of Oregon City." The school began early in 1859, with the Reverend E. Cartwright, as "principal and professor of mathematics and natural science."

In regard to tuition and terms the following is quoted: "Settlement must invariably be made in advance for tuition at the following rates: In the first and second readers, and primary