Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/519

Rh Wilbur afterward bought the bell of Mr. Coffin for $125, and placed it on the then new church. This bell now hangs in the steeple of the Taylor Street M. E. church. It has generally been thought that Dr. Lyman taught the first public school proper, but in a letter from him, he says his school was a private one. There was no organization. He taught three months. Had about forty pupils; was paid by rate bills. Among his pupils he recalls the Carters, Chapmans, Kings, Parrishes, Hills, Terwilligers, Appersons and Coffins. Number of inhabitants, perhaps two hundred and fifty. Dr. Lyman says that 'in the course of a year or two after I taught, seeing the great necessity of a public free school supported by a tax, Josiah Failing, Col. Wm. King, myself and some others made strenuous and continued efforts to organize a school district under the territorial law. In the midst of much opposition on the part of those who had no children of their own to educate, and of others who had personal interests in building up private and denominational schools, success was attained; and out of those first beginnings have grown up the admirable schools for which' the last few years have so blessed and distinguished the city of Portland. "In April, 1850, Col. Cyrus A. Reed opened a school in the 'school house.He taught three months; paid by rate bills at $10 per quarter per pupil, and had an average of sixty-two pupils. The colonel remembers, among the boys and girls, the Carters, Cullens, Appersons, Chapmans, Coffins, Parrishes, Stephens, Millers, Hills, Terwilligers, McNamees and Watts. There was no district organization.

"About August 1st, DeLos Jefferson, now a farmer of Marion county, began a school and taught three months. Mr. Jefferson had a school of about forty pupils. He received $10 per pupil, paid by rate bills. About the same names appeared on his roll as on that of Colonel Reed. "Following Mr. Jefferson, came Rev. N. Doane, then and now (1879) a minister of the M. E. church. He taught nine months, beginning about December I, 1850. He had between fifty and sixty pupils. To the names of pupils last mentioned he adds: Davises, Crosbys, Lownsdales and Butlers. Mr. Doane received some pecuniary assistance from M. E. church missionary funds, so that the rate bills were low—from $2.50 to $6.00 per quarter. His classes ranged from A B C to a fine class in Burrett's geography of the heavens. He also occupied the 'school house.'"

In the Oregonian December 6, 1851, a "free school" is advertised. The board consisted of Anthony L. Davis, Alonzo Leland and Reuben P. Boise. When this board was elected, I have been unable to learn. But from the fact that the law of September, 1849, provided for an annual election on the first Friday in November, I presume these directors were chosen at that time. From Dr. Lyman's letter, also, it may be inferred that this board was the result of the efforts he mentioned. At least, this is the first tangible evidence I have found of the first organization perfected under the law.

This board announces that John T. Outhouse will begin a school in the school house next door to the "City Hotel" on Monday, December 15, 185 1. "Books to be used: Saunder's readers, Goodrich's geographies, Thompson's arithmetics and Bullion's grammar."

The City Hotel referred to was on the northwest corner of First and Oak, kept by Mr. De Witt.

Mr. Outhouse, then a young man about twenty-two years of age, a native of New Brunswick, taught continuously, with the usual vacations, until March, 1853. His descriptions of his school, the society of Portland, etc.. are quite graphic. He was paid most of the time at the rate of $100 per month from the county school fund. He had about twenty pupils at first. He taught school, laid cross-walks, unloaded vessels, and wrestled with the fever and ague half the time. His district extended to Astoria—at least he reported pupils from