Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/520

370 there. In the spring of 1852 but three districts in Washington county reported. Portland received an $800 school fund. So large was the school in the fall, that an assistant was deemed necessary.

Among the arrivals in September, 1853, was a young lady from Massachusetts—Miss Abigail M. Clarke (Mrs. Byron P. Cardwell). Miss Clarke taught a few weeks in the Portland Academy and Female Seminary, then in its second year and under the management of a Mr. Buchanan. This engagement was evidently not the most congenial—at least for Miss Clarke. Under her skilful management, the "incorrigibles" who were placed in her hands by Mr. B., were speedily and happily changed into model boys and girls. So eminently successful was she, that the principal did not hesitate to transfer these pleasant_ classes to his own department, and in turn impose another lot of his troublesome pupils on Miss Clarke. This unprofessional policy became so prominent that we are prepared to learn that Miss Clarke soon after accepted an offer to enter the public schools.

From the editorial in the Oregonian November 20, 1852, it appears that "at a recent meeting (first Friday of November), the citizens voted $1,600 to support a free school."

A notice appeared in the Oregonian November 27, 1852, signed by Anthony L, Davis, Benjamin Stark and A. Leland, directors, with A. Leland, clerk, announcing the opening of a school on Monday, December 6, 1852. Mr. Outhouse is named as teacher in the "school house." and Miss A. M. Clarke as teacher of the primary class, on First street between Taylor and Salmon. The exact location was on the west side of First, second door above Taylor, adjoining the store of Butler & Keiser, which was on the comer of Taylor and First. Mr. Outhouse's wages were $100, and Miss Clarke's $75 per month. It is presumed that Mr. Outhouse was employed to teach the advanced classes, but owing to the laxness of regulation, and largely no doubt to her popularity, Miss Clarke's school was patronized by all grades of pupils. She had for some time an average daily attendance of over ninety.

Mr. Eliot, in describing this school, denominates it as a "graded school." The reason will appear, when it is known that the building was two stories in height and in order to seat the pupils, the stairway was utilized. Children were seated with a "graded" on the stairs, as far up as possible.

The front windows, opening directly on the street, were the source of much annoyance in several ways. On one occasion, some mischievous boy (hoodlums were unknown then) commenced a series of "rapping" on the window panes, and when he suspected danger scampered for the hazel brush hard by. This became excessively provoking, and Miss Clarke laid a trap for this naughty fellow. Frank Hill, one of the pupils, was detailed to catch the young rascal. This was rare sport for young Hill no doubt. So when the unsuspecting urchin essayed to go into tBe "rapping" business again, Frank darted after him and soon triumphantly delivered him to Miss Clarke who proceeded to thrash the "small boy in brown" most vigorously.

The next "rapping" at that door was from another source. A mad father appeared and demanded an explanation. He got none. He went in hot haste to Mr. Leland, the clerk, who informed him that "if he did not go slow. Miss Clarke would thrash him, too."

So the winter of '52 and '53 passed in conducting "graded" primary classes. What trials Mr. Outhouse had down town with the "big boys and girls" may be inferred from some of his reminiscences:

"The boys would play truant (they were related no doubt to some of the present generation), and you could often find them playing cards during school hours. No one visited the school; the teacher had to work out his own salvation."

From another instance related, Mr. Outhouse was evidently a great admirer of Solomon. He remarks, also, that he saved his last year's wages "by keeping