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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 1952)
Obscure Organization Important in UO History By Bill Frye I'-vcr hear of an organization railed (hr Union University association? Or a building known as the McFarland house? Neither rings a hell with most Kugrne citizens, much less with I 11iv«•! ity students, hut hotli played important roles in the founding of Oregon’s first state university. It was nearly XO years ago, in July 1X72, that five serious iiiiimi linn, wearing oni-iasmoneu whiskers and high starched collars, met at tin- kerosene-lighted Me Farland hotmi* to discuss the need for more adequate schooling and of a state institution. From their meeting evolved the Union University association which four years later was responsible for getting the Unlevrsity located in Kugene. Association Died After 75 years the University is still around and looks destined to j continue for at least another 75. The Union University association became defunct within a decade after it was organized. The famous, but little known, McFarland house, in use until last fall, is now des tined for the wreckers. That tiie name McFarland should not lie Included among the promi nent names connected with the early days of the University is not surprising. Men like Matthew Deady, H. il. Friendly and T. G. Hendricks gave personal time and effort to its establishment. Van Dorn McFarland merely lent the use of it is house to men like those who drafted first plans for the pro posed institution. A Carpenter M< Faiiand was a carpenter, but bis house was not his own handi work He bought it when the old Central schoolhousc, located where the Silva Chevrolet Co. is now, was torn down. His house was one of the old classrooms. The exact history of the McFar land house is not known, even by its present owner, Will H. Hodes. He bought the place in 1909 and converted it Into an office building The signlfcanee of the one-story Irame building located at 839 W. Charnelton St., was uccorded brief mention in oily one place "The History of Eugene," written by throe Eugene women. In the book is told the back ground of the University and how the earliest attempts at forming it in 1851 "promptly became a politi cal football with pressure groups working in all directions." KiigenlariN Aided Following a period of inactivity, revival of the university endow ment flamed up in 1872 with Eu gene citizens providing the spark. A meeting at the McFarland house with B. F. Dorris, S. H. Spencer, John M. Thompson, Judge J. J. Walton and John C, Arnold result ed in the formation of the UUA with .‘even others and some far reaching effects on Eugene and on the state. The association elected John; Thompson president, got $50,000 in capital stock and formed n board of directors which prepared a bill for the September session of the legislature. Bill’s Provisions The bill was to permit the pur chase of a site in the Eugene town ship and the erection of a building worth $50,000 to be ready to turn over to the state Jan. 7, 1874. It further provided for a board of reg ents of nine, six appointed by the governor and three by the associa tion itself; specifically that state scholarships should be awarded by counties; and forbade any sectar ian religious tests for either stu dents or teachers. The first building, which became Deady hall, is still intact. The original site has been expanded. But only one of the other three provisions of the bill are still in ef fect today. Religious tests are still forbid den. The board of regents was abolished in 1932 when the state board of higher education was set up. As for county-awarded scholar ships, they were surplanted by state scholarships when the board of higher education was establish ed. . » Being Wrecked Now The building where plans for the first state university were con ceived lias boon turned over to the CAD Wrecking Co. which in paying $75 for the material in it. Co-owner of the company, ilay Crowe, said the original coat of the house did not exceed $500. When the place was built, prob ably right after the close of the Civil war, no sawmills' had yet conic on the scene In Lane county Crowe pointed out the hand-hewed timbers measuring about 6 inches square and the whip-sawed boards running In sizes up to 30 inches. All lumber used in building the old house, he said, was hand sawed. Wooden pegs measuring one inch in diameter were even used in place of nails for joining the heavy tim bers. Since the five stately men met there 80 years ago the McFarland house had been modernized to some extent, flourescent lights and Vene tian blinds replacing the kerosene lamps and heavy window shades. As for the University, it evolved Horn a $50 000 hope into a $19,000, 000 legacy. Monks were me timekeepers of the Middle Ages, and monastery bells told the time to all living within their range. The world clock really signifies bell, and comes from the old French Cloche, the German gloeke, the Medieval Latin clocca, and the Old Knglish eluege. Co-op living Helps Students Get Through School Cheaply Andie from the fact that co operative Jiving on UO campon offers worthy students a refuge from sororities, fraternities, and dormitories, it enables them to obtain an education at minimum cost. Many promising students would be unable to attend uni versity at all if it weren’t for the four cooperative Jiving organiza tions. The three women’s houses, Re bec, Highland, and University con tain an average of thirty students apiece and Campbell Club, the men's house, approximately forty. Hoorn and board amounts to an average of $40 per month. Since expenses are so low, cooperative students are required to con tribute from 3-5 hours per week for house duties. The honor sys tem is prevalent in governing the houses. Scholastic achievements of the cooperative members arc above average and a majority of the students are provided with schol arships to aid financial difficul ties. Highland has permanent pos session of Burt Brown Barker cup, awarded to the house with the highest scholastic average for three years in succession. A mem ber of Campbell Club won the William Frager Scull and Dagger scholarship last year. Social events and activities at the co-op houses are not lacking although the members who do not wish to participate in them are <ertainly not obliged to do so against their will. Among the out standing yearly activities are the individual annual house dances. More recently established is the annual all-co-op dance which proved to be a great success. Firesides, exchange dinners and desserts are arranged with other organizations. Campbell Club got first prize last year for their jun ior week-end float. The co-op organizations have How's your Sweet-tooth, POP? There are Special Cakes for Valentines Day at The Home Bakery Delicatessen 86 E. Broadway Phone 4-5142 proved outstanding in athletic competitions. For the past two y»ars Rebec House has held the Woman s Recreation Association cup for participation in intra mural sports. Before Rebec House, Highland held the cup for one yf:ar. Highland and University have won individual champion ships in sport# also. In accomplishments, these houses rate high and serve ade quately in providing low-cost housing for students. Brings tender thoughts to a family far away. May we make your appointment today? 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