Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/524

374 for one year, from November 24, 1852, to November 24, 1853. The bill was paid. I have been unable to ascertain who occupied the "school house" from March, 1853, when Mr. Outhouse closed, until the spring- of 1855, when Mr. Limerick was the occupant. But the board were evidently satisfied of the validity of the bill, and the colonel got his rental.

Monday, May 17, 1858, the first school in the Central building was opened. L. L. Terwilliger, principal, with two assistants, Mrs. Hensill and Owen Connelly.

From the records extant, I find that up to July 23, 1858, two hundred and eighty different pupils had been enrolled. The names of pupils, parents and residences are left on record. Of all the residences noted, but two were west of Seventh street, viz., those of F. M. Warren and Wm. M. King, which are noted "Park street." Most of the residences are noted as i, 2, 3 and 4 streets, with quite a number in "Couch Addition."

Mr. Terwilliger was principal of the Central for two and a quarter years. August, 1860, Rev. George C. Chandler, one year; July 22, 1861, G. F. Boynton, nine months; April 30, 1862, O. S. Frambes, one year; March 23, 1863, John McBride, nine months; January 11, 1864, E. P. Beebe, one and a half years; August, 1865, O. S. Frambes, three years; September, 1868, J. W. Johnson, three" quarters of a year (transferred to high school April 26, 1869); April, 1869, R. K. Warren, two and a quarter years; September, 1871, J. M. Williamson, three years; September, 1874, A. J. Anderson, two years; September, 1876, T. H. Crawford, one year; September, 1877, S. W. King, two years; reelected for the ensuing year.

A costly addition was made to the Central school during the years 1872-73. Nothing definite can be ascertained from the books as to the cost. Even the amount of the lowest bid, made by Mr. James Gumming, is omitted in the minutes of the board. It has been approximately ascertained that the whole cost of that year's expenses on the Central was simply "over $30,000." The original building cost about $6,000. Col. Keeler, the teacher above named, was afterward U. S. provost marshal for Oregon during the Southern rebellion.

As early as September 9, 1864, Hon. H. W. Corbett moved that the directors, Messrs. Failing, McCormick and Holmes, prepare plans for a building either in the upper or lower part of the city.

The board, on this same day, accepted a proposition from Hon. Lansing Stout to prosecute the claim of the district to lot 3, in block 29, the site of the "old school house." He was to receive a fee of $500, contingent on his obtaining a good title, etc. The suit was unsuccessful. The north half of block 134, south side of Mill street, between Second and Third streets, owned by the district, was exchanged in January, 1865, for the north half of block 160 on Harrison street, between Fifth and Sixth streets—present site.

March 23, 1865, A. B. Hallock was employed to prepare plans for Harrison Street school building, and to superintend the erection of the same. From the record of bills paid, it appears that W. S. Harn was the principal contractor. Total paid, $9,941.

January 20, 1866, the application of R. K. Warren was accepted, and on Monday, January 22, 1866, the first school was convened in the Harrison street district, with R. K. Warren as principal, and Miss M. N. Tower, Miss V. P. Stephens and Miss M. Kelly assistants.

For the quarter ending April 13, 1866, there were enrolled in this school, 162 boys and 124 girls—total, 286. R. K. Warren was principal one and a half years, from January, 1866; September, 1867, J. P. Garlick, one year; September, 1868, R. K. Warren, three-quarters of a year (at organization of high school he was transferred to the Central); April 26, 1869, I. W. Pratt, ten and a quarter years; reelected for ensuing year.