Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/522

372 Wm. King and E. M. Burton, and D. C. Sturtevant as clerk. When this organization was effected I cannot ascertain. It had a legal existence during the incumbency of L. Limerick, as county superintendent, as a description of its meets and bounds is found in Mr. Limerick's writings. So far as this part of the present district had a history I have this much: In the fall of 1855, Col. J. M. Keeler, just from Forest Grove—Tualitin Academy—taught the district school in the two-story house still standing on the southeast corner of Jefferson and Second streets. He received a hundred and fifty dollars per month, had one hundred pupils per day. Had an assistant, also, whose name he does not now recall. I have been unable, so far, to discover any evidence that any other school was ever taught in the upper district after the six months' term by Col. Keeler. The district had an existence from perhaps 1854, to April, 1856, when it was merged again into No. 1.

Returning to No. 1, during the early part of 1855 two different private schools are advertised.

February 10, 1855, a Mrs. Hill advertises "a seminary for young ladies" to open March 24th. She taught at least two terms on the southeast corner of Washington and Third streets. She was an English lady. Taught dancing as an accomplishment; also music, painting and drawing. She removed to San Francisco.

March 31, 1855, a Miss S. B. Sweet of Syracuse, N. Y., advertises a "select school" in the "lower part of town for small boys and girls." Refers to A. D. Shelby, Esq., for testimonials. She afterward married a Mr. Rinehart at Winchester, whither she removed with Mr. Shelby's family. She and her husband are both dead. Her only child, a daughter, was a member of the family of Dr. J. C. Hawthorne for many years, and has herself been engaged in teaching.

July 7, 1855, Messrs. Frazer, Ladd and Norris advertise for a "competent person to take charge of the public school in district No. 1." A young lawyer, Mr. Sylvester Pennoyer, had lately arrived in Portland. He had gone from New York to Puget Sound to practice law. Becoming discouraged with the prospects, he sold his library and started for home. He saw the advertisement and at once sought an interview with Mr. Frazer. The wages offered, $100 per month, Mr. Pennoyer thought too small and demanded $125. This bit of presumption has ever since been a source of much wonder to Mr. Pennoyer. In New York state he had been satisfied with $20 to $30 per month for his services as a pedagogue. But Mr. Frazer meant business, and evidently fancying the young man (Mr. P. was 24 then), he told him to go ahead. Off to the county school superintendent's office he went. W. F. Boyakin, lately elected to succeed Mr. Limerick, was a Baptist minister, living on the northeast corner of Yamhill and Second, a house formerly occupied as a fish market. Here Mr. Pennoyer found the school superintendent at the washtub. Making known his errand, Mr. Boyakin rolled down his sleeves and proceeded to put Mr. Pennoyer through the "regulation" quiz in the various branches. He gave him a certificate and an "extra indorsement."

Mr. Pennoyer taught six months in the "school house." The first Sunday Mr. Pennoyer spent in Portland, he repaired to church in his best "bib and tucker." Among other articles of apparel, he was, as he supposed, the fortunate possessor of a "swallow-tailed" coat, which was quite fashionable "at home." He was quite abashed to find that either he was far ahead or far behind the elite of Portland, as not another "swallow-tail" was to be seen. He made no inquiries, but took the first opportunity to present his "coat" to a very excellent farmer "just out from town a ways." This farmer is now one of our substantial men, and by the way, that "swallow-tail" did respectable duty for several years afterward.

This man Pennoyer was afterward twice elected governor of Oregon, and once mayor of the city, but rendered but doubtful service in either office. He was put forward by his admirers as a candidate for vice-president of the United