Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/827

Rh General Coffin gave also two blocks at the south end of the city for a "Public Levee," a tract fronting on the river 600 feet and 200 feet in depth. The legislature afterwards by special act gave the railroad terminal rights thereon along with use by the public in general. The river frontage on that tract is open to free dockage to all boats and ships. The city afterwards paid General Coffin $2,500 to extinguish a ferry franchise he had reserved on Jefferson street adjacent to the levee. This is the only free boat landing right on either side of the river. This levee property is now worth $200,000; and General Coffin stands at the head of the list of public benefactors.

In addition to this. Coffin and Chapman gave the park blocks between Third and Fourth streets; and General Coffin gave the site for the Harrison street school now called the Shattuck School. In reviewing the history of the Portland public schools, Superintendent Thomas H. Crawford says on page 62 of his review: "There are on file several newspaper items praising a few citizens for their liberal donations of lots and blocks for school purposes. It certainly will not harm any one to say that in all my researches I have found but one-half block owned by the district that came into its possession as a free gift. The north half of block 134 was a donation from Stephen Coffin, and he afterwards gave the present site (a half-block) of Harrison street school in exchange for it. Every lot the district owns, aside from this half block, has been paid for in gold coin raised by a district tax."

The city has now many public schools and many persons that never did anything for the public, have been complimented with the names of the schools, while the only man that gave a foundation for a school house and a most worthy patriotic and public spirited citizen, has been wholly ignored. But the little souls who could perpetrate such injustice may rest assured, that the name of Stephen Coffin will be remembered and honored long after they are put away and forgotten in their little coffins.

In connection with this notice of Captain Couch it may be stated that his children have well maintained the good examples of liberality to every good cause which was set by their parent. Bishop Scott grammar school with its spacious grounds was erected on lands donated by the Couch family. The Good Samaritan hospital, if not erected on lands donated by the Couch family has been largely built by Mrs. C. H. Lewis, and other members of the Couch family.

Among those whose names will always be perpetuated by the growth and beauty of the city is that of Donald MacLeay. Of foreign birth, a naturalized citizen, a "canny Scot" who made his fortune in Portland, he gave almost one-third of all the park ground the city is the owner of. MacLeay Park is already a "thing of beauty," and will be "a joy forever" to all lovers of nature. So situated that it cannot be marred by the professional landscaper, or "cut up" by the speculating real estate agent, its native wildness abounding with hiding places almost in the heart of the city will make it the wonder of little children, the trysting place for lovers, and the attraction of those tired of sky-scrapers and automobiles, for a few hours of rest and repose among the giant firs and umbrageous maples.

Akin to the work of men who gave of their lands to make free space and play grounds in the heart of a great city for the millions who may come after them, is the work of the man who planned the roads and cut the trails that this MacLeay Park and the hills around Portland might become accessible, and their grand elevations, outlook, and scenic beauties be made known and appreciated. That was the work to which L. L. Hawkins devoted his time for years. And not content with opening the way and telling people to go and see, he provided a tally-ho coach and four, and took out visitors to the city from abroad and enabled them to see the wondrous beauties of Portland's matchless location. The first advertising Portland got as a scenic city was given it by Mr. Hawkins. Whenever the name of Mr. Hawkins is mentioned as a man that has done something for the city the remark is made. "Oh yes, Mr. Hawkins started the city