Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/516

368 D. C. Coleman, deceased), several of the Appersons, and two of the Pettigrew children.

"In the winter of 1848 and '49, Aaron J. Hyde taught a school in what was, for years, known as the 'Cooper Shop.' This 'cooper shop' was the only 'public hair in the town for some time. It was located on the west side of First street, between Morrison and Yamhill streets (lot 2, block 14), where the drug store of L. Blumauer & Co. (1879) now stands. This lot was sold May 12, 1856, to Davis & Monastes for $250. It was commonly reported in those days that a former owner, one, Samuel Hancock, of W. T., bought it for the consideration of 'two pups.' It shows, strangely enough, that from its occupation in '47, '48, '49, as a Christian sanctuary, a Sunday and a day school, it had, in 1857, become a Chinese wash house.

"Aaron J. Hyde served in the Mexican war; was discharged at Santa Fe, came to California, thence to Oregon. He taught the school referred to, married a Miss Whitley of Polk county, settled on a donation land claim about four miles southwest of Lebanon, Linn county, near western angle of Washington butte, died on this farm in the year 1859 and was buried at Sand Ridge. Sunday.

August 3, 1848, the act organizing our territorial government was passed after a prolonged debate.

"The Nathan Dane bill passed congress July 13, 1787, prohibited slavery and declared that 'schools and means of education shall be forever encouraged.By a previous act of congress and in pursuance of a contract made by the officers of the treasury with Rev. Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop Sargent in October, 1787, the sixteenth section of each township was secured for educational purposes.

"In framing the act for the organization of our territory, the thirty-sixth section was added. This provoked much opposition. To Hon. J. Quinn Thornton is due the honor of this munificent addition to our educational resources. He spent the summer of 1848 in Washington city, and by his persistent and indefatigable labors not only Oregon, but every state and every territory since organized, has been thus grandly endowed.

"March 3, 1849, Hon. Jos. Lane issued his first proclamation as governor of the territory. Soon after, a public meeting was called in Oregon City at the instance of Rev. Geo. H. Atkinson to discuss some matters of importance. One question was, 'Shall we organize a system of free schools?' After a lengthy discussion, a vote was taken which resulted as follows: 37 for and 6 against free schools. At the request of Governor Lane, Rev. Geo. H. Atkinson prepared the educational part of the forthcoming message to the first territorial legislature, July 17, 1849. This was the first impulse toward the organization of our public school system. The first school bill was passed September 5, 1849.

"Geo. H. Atkinson, D. D., to whom, more than any other one person, our city and county schools are indebted, arrived in Portland in June, 1848. He recalls Miss Carter's school as being then in session. Dr. Atkinson brought with him $200 worth of school books of the latest and best authors. He came to Oregon, charged especially with the educational interests of the territory. He afterward imported about $1,700 worth more of school books, and sold out to S. J. McCormick, Esq.

"Late in December, 1849, Rev. Horace Lyman began a school in the 'school house.' This building, a frame structure, was built by Col. Wm. King, for church and school purposes. It was located on lot 3, block 29, or on west side of First street, second door north of Oak. On this building was placed a bell. It was cast in 1850 by Meneeley, Troy, N. Y., and weighed about 300 pounds. Stephen Coffin purchased this bell at his own expense and expected to dispose of it for church and school purposes. In 1850 the old Taylor Street M. E. church was built and dedicated, November 14, of that year. Rev. James H.