Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 37.djvu/97

 war veterans who are buried in Marion County, February 16, 1936. The markers were provided by the federal government.

77th anniversary of Oregon's admission to the Union was celebrated at the Portland Hotel, February 14, 1936, under the sponsorship of the Sons and Daughters of Oregon Pioneers. Harvey G. Starkweather represented Uncle Sam, who accepted “Miss Oregon," impersonated by Bettylou Swart, as his valentine. George W. Caldwell was principal speaker. He urged the beautification of Champoeg Park, as a memorial to the pioneers. Rufus C. Holman was toastmaster.

Saint Marys Catholic Church, Corvallis, observed its 75th anniversary February 12, 1936. The church was blessed February 17, 1861. For many years it was the only parish in the southern part of the Willamette valley, although the church records show that on August 19, 1853, Father Croke celebrated the first mass in that section of the country. A history of the church and parish will be found in the Oregon Journal, February 2, 1936.

Syne Society, Portland, elected David S. Stearns president at its meeting December 4, 1936. Other officers elected were Earl C. Bronaugh, first vice president; Leslie M. Scott, 2nd vice president; William Adams, treasurer; H. L. Idleman, secretary. Mr. Adams was made a life member, one of the highest honors of the organization. Others thus honored have been Joseph Simon, A. H. Devers and B. B. Beekman. The annual dinner of the society was held February 19, 1936. There were 24 members of 80 years or older, who occupied a table of honor. J. O. Stearns, 80, a native Oregonian, was spokesman for this group, of whom George H. Himes, 91, was the eldest. Frank Branch Riley, a new member, was the principal speaker of the evening.

The press used for printing the first newspaper west of the Rocky Mountains is now at the University of Oregon, and has once more been equipped for printing. The press was brought to Oregon in 1846, and on February 5, 1846, the first number of the Oregon Spectator was issued. In 1855 it was sold to W. L. Adams, who used it for printing the Oregon Argus. The Salem Statesman owned it in 1863 and in 1864, H. R. Kincaid bought it and used it to print the Oregon State Journal at Eugene. In 1915, Mr. Kincaid and his son, Webster, presented it to the University of Oregon. A picture and sketch of the press appear in the Oregon Journal, February 16, 1936.

An important addition to the Oregon Historical Society museum is the fine collection of Indian baskets formerly belonging to Mrs. James G. Gauld, presented by her daughter, Miss Isabella Gauld. It will be known as the Mrs. James G. Gauld Indian collection.

Lincoln County residents are desirous of having a building at Otter Crest state park. The building would contain a museum for preserving specimens of the various Indian arts which are fast becoming extinct, and an information bureau. A committee, represented by Mrs. Helen Warren, has presented the project to the state highway commission, the county planning board and the state park engineer.

On January 8, 1936, officials and residents of Clackamas County met at the old courthouse to open the cornerstone which was laid June 26, 1884. Frank Glennon, 91, who had cut the original cornerstone, opened the copper box containing documents and relics. As the box had come unsealed the documents had deteriorated as