Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/523

Rh States on the democratic ticket in the year 1894. Pennoyer always claimed he had the only dress coat in Portland at the date mentioned above. But that was a mistake. At that time, some other bachelors in the new town, Mr. Frederick Bickel among them, and still living in Portland, were keeping "bachelor's hall" down on Stark at between First and Second, and having to air their clothing on the bushes in that vicinity, after putting them out one nice day, and shortly after looking out of the upper-story windows, Mr. Bickel discovered that a big Indian had just donned his nice dress coat and was pompously marching down Stark street to the river with it—and that was the last of it.

For over two years after the close of Mr. Pennoyer's school, no record has been found that gives any definite information concerning the public schools as to the disposition of the pupils or the funds. From the best information obtainable, it is believed by many that, at some meeting not recorded, it was agreed to discontinue the schools, as a charge on the district, so that the funds miglit accumulate toward the erection of a school building. This seems hardly probable, however, as subsequent transactions show that no funds were on hand when the new building was projected. In any case, no one seems to have been directly employed by any board to teach school until school was opened May 17, 1858, in the new Central school.

Col. J. M. Keeler, seeing the futility of trying to maintain two separate organizations within the city limits, was quite active in creating a sentiment in favor of the consolidation of the two districts. He had taught school in No. 2, and subsequently taught two or more terms in the "school house." At all the preliminary meetings held to settle the terms of consolidation, and after the union V'as effected, he was no less zealous. He planned the old Central building. On the petition of citizens of district No. 2, the superintendent, W. F. Boyakin, issued a proclamation March 31, 1856, consolidating Nos. i and 2—with a proviso that each district should pay its own liabilities contracted to date. A joint meeting of both districts was called for Wednesday evening, April 16, 1856, at the school house. At this meeting Thomas Frazer was chosen chairman, and J. M. Keeler secretary. Wm. Weatherword, Josiah Failing and Alexander Campbell were elected a board of directors, and Thomas J. Holmes, clerk. These persons were sworn into office by Anthony L. Davis.

Mr. Campbell resigned August 4, 1856. and John H. Couch was elected to fill the vacancy. For a complete record of directors and clerks to the present time (1879), reference is made to a table appended to this sketch. The first business of importance before the new district was the erection of a suitable school building.

At an adjourned meeting of the taxpayers May 12, 1856, the board reported a building plan and estimated the cost for enclosing the building at $4,500. A long discussion ensued. Benj. Stark opposed—suggesting that, as the county would soon be called on to erect a jail, this school tax would prove burdensome. Col. J. M. Keeler replied that the erection of a school house should have the first consideration, and suggested that if the school interests were more carefully fostered, a jail would prove indeed a burden, because of its uselessness in the community. Mr. Stark finally voted for the tax. A committee consisting of J. Failing, H. W. Davis, Wm. Beck, S. Coffin and A. M. Starr, was appointed to ascertain the cost of different sites for school grounds. May 26th, this committee reported in favor of the "James Fields' block" No. 174—cost $1,000. _ Voted to purchase 63 to 45. May 29, moved a tax of $4,000 for site and building purposes; vote stood 39 to 13. August 7, board advertised for bids. August 16th. contract awarded E. M. Burton and R. D. Carson for $2,993. They were to enclose the building, lay floors, etc. April 24, 1857, a tax of $4,000 was voted to complete the building. Contracts for painting and plastering were let during the summer of 1857. October i, 1857, proposition to teach the school were received from J. M. Keeler and George A. Illidge and laid on the table. November 28, 1857, Col. King presented a bill for $120 rental of the "school house"