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About The Corvallis gazette. (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899 | View Entire Issue (July 23, 1897)
CORVALLIS GAZETTE, FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1897. HILLS AND VALES OF BENTON COUNTY Unsurpassed in Fertility and IT IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE FAMOUS WILLAMETTE VALLEY AND IS A VERITABLE GARDEN SPOT. ON ACCOUNT OF ITS MANY NATURAL RESOURCES IT OFFERS EXCEPTIONAL AO VANTAGES TO THE HOMESEEKER. A BRIEF HISTORY Of the County's Growth and Develop ment from the Early 40's to Date, BY PROF. J. B. HORNER. A long time ago, possibly during the boyhood days of our grandfathers, the Pacific coast was peopled with roaming savages and fierce beasts, and its wat ers were visisted by few save those "that dwell therein," and the prowling pirate who hid his treasures along the unfrequented shores. So Daniel Web ster, with other congressmen, believed and even argued that this coast was a wild, uninviting region, separated by a great desert from the United States proper; that our nation could never colonize it. At this time, however, there was a Missourian named Thomas H. Benton, who claimed that by follow ing tlae paths of the deer, the elk and the bear, far to the west, emigrants could find homes in a magnificent region of wonderful capabilities, and environ ments unsurpassed. His sole purpose seemed to be to interest the nation in the development of the Pacific slope; so facing the great Demosthenes of the Saxon race, he finally succeeded in en gaging the attention of the East in the scheme of colonizing the West. It was one of the most brilliant victories ever achieved by an American states man; for had it not been for Benton, it is probable that our own beautiful Ore gon would at this time have been noth ing more than a forbidding wilderness. It is not to be wondered at, then, that as a fitting recognition of a great man's services to the nation in general and to this coast in particluar, our fathers should have selected one of the choicest counties in all this vast region to be named Benton in his honor. I I - it' f . i i III " :-.V'.C' . - ' ft-? Benton possibly belonged to a class of men who have been afflicted with queer sons-in-law; anyhow, the rela tions of Benton, his daughter, Jessie, and her husband, General John C. Fremont, could furnish ample material for an interesting romance too lengthy for this publication. Some even say that the father-in-law sent Fremont out West to get him off his hands; and that may have been true, for the like has occurred many times since. Fre mont, who imagined he saw Napoleonic honors in store for him, had unfortu nately adop'ted Napoleon's definition of history, "Fiction agreed upon." But had Napoleon's ideas been in keeping with this age, his honors might have been more abiding, because unreliable histor usually passes for a very poor grade of fiction; this may explain why more of the history of Oregon is not re quired to be taught in the public schools of the state Fremont, in the name of the government, published lengthy reports of wonderful exploits, charac terizing himself as the "Gre?t Path finder." This must have been very novel reading to those, many of whom are liv ing, who knew that Fremont and his party had merely followed along in the wagon road made by the Applegates and their party of immigrants. Just imagine a "Great Pathfinder" finding Oregon by a route hitherto traveled by men, young and old, women and children the true pathfinders of Oregon. Some of this class of people settled in Benton coun ty, and while their names may never find their way into history, yet this county has a list of pioneers of whom every Oregonian-may justly feel proud. The wonderful development of this country is largely due to their efforts, which were christened with those untold hardships incident to pioneer life. BENTON COUNTY The following anecdote will give the reader a peep into "ye olden days," the pioneer days. Oregon enjoyed one day's existence under President Polk; and it may be said that it was, one of Polk's last official acts to appoint O. C. Pratt, of Wisconsin, associate justice. It soon, however, became necessary to hold court at Marysville, for the purpose of selling a condemned vessel lying ashore in Portland. So the judge and his marshal, Joe Meek, whom the pres ident had also appointed, "hied them- ' X ' ! 1 my i - ' y : selves" to Marysville, which consisted of one log cabin, the home of the late J. C. Avery. Mrs. Avery, willing or not, was forced to entertain the court At 9 o'clock of the morning following their arrival, the judge, who was small of stature, but dignified and at times slightly pompous, ordered the marshal to call court. Joe Meek, more famous as an Indian fighter than as a student of legal lore, stepped outside the door and called out, "Oh, yes; oh, yes," so lus tily that it is claimed the echo rever berated far along the shadows of distant Mary's peak. The fated ship was called up, and sold to the highest bidder. Men time, the children continued their play around the hearth, and Mrs. Avery finished churning by the side of the fireplace. The first courthouse as well as the old deserted capifol, when con: pared with the $75,000 temple of justice that is now in the center of the city, tells considerable of the growth and progress of Corvallis. Benton county, which at the present time is bounded on the north by Polk. on the east by Linn, on the south bv Lane, and on the west by Lincoln coun ty, was organized under the provisional government in 1847, and Marysville was established the county seat in 1851. This town was located on the Willamette river at a point intersected by Mary's river, a crystal stream, rising in the vicinity of Mary's peak, the loftiest mountain in the Coast range. The city lies about the center of the Willamette valley on a north and south line: there fore in those days when there were no railroads in Oregon, and Marysville was at the head of navigation on the Wil lamette, and the town was the shipping center for a vast portion of Oregon and California, and pack trains, freight teams, and travelers came from every direction, some one who had more than a smattering of Latin and French said "Marysville c'est coeur vallais." Marys ville is the heart of the valley. The name Corvallis seemed to be so natural that it is probable that if "Bobby" Burns had been passing this way, he would have exclaimed: "Auld Corvallis, The town wham nane surpasses For honest men and bonnie lasses." Indeed, the word had already been anglicised into "Corvallis, the form which we now use; and the people now adays look upon the name Marysville with about the same kind of respect that they would regard the maiden name of a charming lady who had won recognition, and then was wedded into circles of greater wealth, usefulness and social tfislrncrron: The city grew steadily into a popula tion of probably 2,500; and while, rail roads were crossing this state, the Ore gon Pacific placed its principal offices at Corvallis, while the Southern Pacific West Side made Corvallis the tempor ary terminus. 1 he only wagon ana car riage factory in the state is located at Corvallis. The state agricultural college is located in the edge of the city. This instituion of learning was founded in 1870, and grew steadily until last year, when there were registered about 400 students. Many of the leading men of Oregon, Washington and California were educated within its walls. The school offers free tuition to all, and is seeking to reach the greatest possible number of worthy young men and wom en. Along the O. C. & E. railroad about seven miles west of Corvallis is the beautiful little city Philomath, nestled at the foot of the grand mountains that lead up to the Coast range. "Philo math," which is taken from two. Greek words, meaning "a lover of learning,' has proved to be no misnomer; for the town was founded as a college town by the United Brethren in Christ as early probably as 1863. The town and college enjoyed a steady growth lor many years; and as the church which fostered the college grew, it gradually broadened its opin ions, until, about eight years ago, the leaders of that ecclesiastical body ascertained that they had enough opin ions for two churches, which were promptly organized, and the peculiar situation called for two colleges, which are known as Philomath College and the College of Philomath. These, with the excellent public school facilities that are characteristic of Philomath as well : ; court house. of our state, have made education the central features of that quiet little city. One of the prettiest valleys in the Coast range is the Alsea, which is drain ed by the river of that name. The peo pie of that apparently isolated region produce large crops of grain, hops and fruit. Like the Acadians of old, they live to a great extent within themselves, although they market some of the pro duce via Alsea bay, also via the O. C. & E. railroad; and like the Acadians of old, no people can boast of beter cooks Richness. than are the girls and women raised in the Alsea. Such delightful scenes, pure water and rich air, just from the shores of the sea air that has been wafted along the great forests of pine fir and cedar, over carpets of living green, until like the bee it has beei laden with the necessities of life. The fisherman, the hunter, the tired toiler and the invalid find a veritable paradise in the Alsea. On the west bank of the Long Tom at a point about 17 miles south 01 Corvallis, is Monroe, a charming little village of 300 inhabitants. An extensive business is transacted by the merchants with the farmers to the south and west. It is amply furnished with good schools and churches, and is surrounded by wealthy settlements in the heart of a rich agricultural district Located in the northwestern portion of the county is King's valley, which, will be remembered, has become his toric ground, as it was here that Sheri dan was once stationed in command of a body of troops. One of the wealth iest spots along the coast is this fertile valley. An important factor in the develop ment of Benton county, as well as the entire Willamette valley, has been what is now called the Oregon Central & Eastern railroad. Colonel T. E. Hogg, a financier of considerable repute, late in the '70s, conceived the idea of con necting Corvallis with the Yaquina bay by rail. The harbor of Yaquina, lying 70 miles distant from Corvallis, was only accessible to the smallest coasting ves sels, but government surveys established the feasibility of deepening the channel, and assurance was had of natural aid for this purpose. Colonel Hogg inter ested Eastern capitalists in the scheme, and active work was soon commenced and the last spike was driven December 28, 1884. The original name of the railroad was the Willamette Valley & Coast railroad, but before its completion to Corvallis the directors determined to push it across the state, and form a connection with some Eastern road, and with this in view changed the name of the prop erty to the Oregon Pacific. In 1886, the line was extended to Albany, and on into the mountains a distance of 20 miles from Corvallis. The following year it was completed 50 miles further, nearly to the summit of the moun tains, and through a magnificent timber region bordering the Santiam river and its tributaries. About this time, how ever, the directors were confronted with serious financial difficulties, which ac- ;d- until -the-property-passed into the hands of a receiver in the fall of 1891. After an unfruitful career in the hands of several receivers, the road was sold by order of the court to Messrs. Bonner and Hammond, two prominent Montana capitalists, December, 1S95, who gave it its present name. These gentlemen realized that they had become the possessors of a valu able property, and at once began ex tensive improvements. They purpose eventually building several branch lines, or feeders, and also extend the road to an Eastern connection. Under their management, the road has enjoyed a heavy increase in business, necessitating ths employment of two large steamships on the line between San Francisco and Yaquina. The general offices are at Corvallis, and the proposed branch line to Eugene will be built from that city. People of Benton county owe to the Oregon Central & Eastern road much of their present enjoyment of low freight rates. The mildness of winters makes it pos sible to bring dairying to its highest perfection. Home-made butter com mands a high price, compared with the imported article. For table use we pay from 20 to 30 cents per pound, and good, fresh butter is always in demand. In fact, the Oregonian and other lead ing journals of the state have time and again suggested that more of our peo ple should engage in butter-making, so as to supply the demand. Good dairy ing stock has been added to the county breeds, and the environments have been such that the creamery business has proved to be a great advantage to the producer and the consumer. The lack of knowledge of the dairying business has been recognized by many of our thorough-going citizens, so that state boards have taken the matter into caie- ful consideration, the state agricultural college having already made provisions for dairying in the school during the coming year. Experienced dairymen find here a splendid field for the estab lishment of a remunerative business. Benton county has an abundance of white, yellow and red fir timber, be sides great quantities of ash, maple, ce dar, oak, cherry, laurel, alder and pine. The oak, ash, maple, yew and cherry take a high polish and are therefore very valuable for furniture, and ash lumber is being exported to neighboring states. Native oak is of a solid texture, and has proved to be very valuable. Wagons made of native oak by Elias Rowe some 30 or 35 years ago are now in daily use. While some who desire to advertise materials of Eastern growth may deny the value of our native woods, they will ever be confronted with the condition which has long since past the stage of a theory. Fir trees too large to be worked in our sawmills can be found in abundance along our mountain sides. The abundance of timber can be attested by the fact that it is purchased at $1.65 to $3 per cord; rough luinbe-, from $6 to $8, and shingles, from $1.35 to $1.75- Although Benton county lies in the same, latitude as some of the Eastern states, its climate is not identical with theirs. The warm Japan current wind ing its way along our coast brings its pearly drops on its bosom, and tempers the western winds of summer, and I softens the rigor ot the winter storm. Blizzards, drouths, sunstroke and cy clones are unknown. On account of the afternoon sea breeze, and cool nights, it is quite possible to sleep comfortably under a blanket during any part of the summer. In fact, about the only es sential to sound sleep in this delightful region is a clear conscience. It is prob ably unnecessary to state in this connec tion that rain is by no means uncom mon; in fact, it may be concluded, with safety, that the atmosphere is generally quite humid, and- the sky, when not clear, is covered with more or less mist or soft, wooly clouds, that may be con trasted with the great, gleaming bars of silver and crimson that bedeck the horizon of Eastern cities. A visit to our cemeteries will convince the most skep tical that we have not only a delight ful, but healthful, climate. Among the agricultural products of this county are wheat, oats and other cereals, hops, fruit and potatoes. Of course, barley, corn, clover, timothy and vegetables are grown with great suc cess. The attention of the farmers has been recently drawn to growing hops and prunes, and so far the yield of these products has been phenomenal. A great amount of fruit raised in Benton county is shipped into the East and into Canada as California fruit; a fact that emphasizes the importance of. building up a better market for Benton county products. The prune industry in Benton county is assuming very extensive proportions. The total acreage set in fruit com prises in the neighborhood of 2500 acres. 1 he sou and climate are particu larly adapted for prune-raising, and the fruit grown here is of the finest quali ty. The largest prune farm in the state of Oregon is in the southern part of the county, and contains 200 acres, and 28,000 trees. The principal promo ter of this orchard was Hon. G- A'. Wag goner, a prominent pioneer citizen. Ad joining the farm is the Belfountain Prune Company's farm, which has up wards of 160 acres bearing. In the northern part of the county lies the or chard of the Benton County Prune Company. The Oregon Central & Eastern railroad runs through this tract, and the orchard is the object of admira tion of all who view it. Hugh Finley is a prominent prune-grower, and is probably the pioneer of the industry in Benton county. He has an extensive orchard of bearing trees. Professor E. B. McElroy, for many years state super intendent of public instruction, is the owner of several fine orchards, and an nually ships several carloads of fruit to Chicago. The fruit all over the county is already a source of considerable reve nue, although the trees are generally young and have not yet reached their full bearing capacity. As to physical description, climate, re sources, transportation, cities and towns, society as respects churches, religion, morals and social amenities, education, lands and homes, there are few spots so inviting as Benton county. I. W. A. r . -k- w, - m aw h in rf-rw- Buchanan, Treasurer. 2. V. H. Watters, Clerk. 3. Asa Alexander,' Assessor. 4. John A. Buchanan, Commissioner. 5. F. J. Chambers, Commissioner. 6. W. A. Gellatly, Recorder. 7. Peter Rickard, Sheriff. 8. Geo. W. Denman, School Superintendent, BENTON COUNTY OFFICIALS. The various offices of Benton county are in good hands, and there is very little criticism heard concerning the management of the several departments at the courthouse. Biographical sketches of the courthouse officials will prove of interest to the citizens of Benton county. Georare W. Denman. Benton county's popular and ener getic superintendent of public instruc tion was born May 13, 1871, in Mis souri. His parents moved to Nevada when he was a child, remaining there five years. They then came to Oregon, and in 1879 took up their residence in Independence, Polk county, where they lived for 12 years. From there they came to Corvallis, which has been their home ever since. Professor Denman graduated from the Oregon Agricultural College in 1893, with the degree of B. S. Having taste and appetite for teaching, he made that his profession, and immediately after quitting college began work in the pub lic schools of the county. He was high ly successful, and could always secure a school. He was constantly employed at teaching, until the spring of 1896, when he was elected county school superintendent on the republican ticket receiving a majority of 298 against fusion candidate. His administration as superintendent has been an unusually strong and ef fective one. It is of course impossible to grade country schools, but Professor Denman has done more in that direc tion than previously had been thought possible. He has classified the course of study in a ..manner highly satisfactory to the teachers and very useful to the pupils.' Each school now works on definite plan, and a graduate from one school is on the same footing as the pupil who finishes another. The coun ty and local institutes, held under his direction, have been full of interest and instruction, and remarkably well at tended. Aaa Alexander. Asa Alexander is serving his third term as assessor of Benton county.. In 1892 he received the democratic nomi nation for that office, and was elected by a majority of 106. In 1894, he was re-elected by 17 majority, and in 1896 he was again victorious, receiving a plur ality of 177. Personally, he is very pop ular, and his uniform success at the polls proves that his work as assessor is approved by the citizens. Mr. Alexander was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, October 7, 1850. With his parents, he removed to Donathan county, Kansas, in 1855, and from there came to Clarke county, Washington, in 1859. Asa arrived in Benton county November, 1873, locating in King's val ley, where he engaged in farming, until his election to public office. He married, June 4, 1876, Miss Re becca Chambers, who was born and reared in Benton county, being the daughter of Rowland Chambers, one of the county's earliest settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have three daughters, aged, respectively, 17, 14 and 11. The family moved to Corvallis in 1895, and have since made this city their home. John A. Gellatly. Benton county's efficient recorder was born in Nevada county, California, July 6, 1869. His parents moved to Benton county during his infancy, and pur chased a farm two and one-half miles southwest of Philomath, which has ever since been their home. Mr. Gellatly attended the public school at Philomath,'' and completed his educa tion at the Oregon Agricultural Col lege, in 1887. In the summer of 1892, he married Miss Laura McDonald, of this county, and two very bright chil dren have blessed the union. In the year of his marriage, he purchased a good farm, which he tilled until his elec tion as recorder, when he moved to Cor vallis, where he now resides. Mr. Gellatly received the republican nomination for the office of recorder in 1896, and, after a long and stirring cam paign, was elected by one of the largest pluralities ever given a republican can didate, in Benton county, receiving 329 vof.es more than were cast for his demo cratic competitor. As an official, he has been an unqualified success. He is com petent and courteous, and is highly re garded by all who have had business to transact at the recorder's office, during his administration. Mr. .Gellatly is a member of the bo:.rd of control of Philomath college, and this year was elected vice-president of the board. V. E. Watters. Virgil E. Watters was promoted by the votes of the people of Benton coun ty, last year, from the office of recorder to that of county clerk, and the majority of nearly 500 he received at that time is BENTON COUNTY OFFICIALS, tft aj a sufficient commentary upon the esti mation in which he is held as a public servant. Mr. Watters was born in Holton, Jackson county, Kansas, August 8, 1863, and, with his parents, moved to Orego.i in September, 1877, first lpcating in Ashland. In 1879, he went to Portland, remaining there about one year, when he moved to Washington county. He lived there until 1884, when he went to Yaquina City and engaged in the jewelry business, having learned that trade of his father, who was a manu facturing jeweler. He was elected coun ty recorder of this county in 1892, and was re-elected in 1894. In the spring election of 1896, he was the candidate for clerk on the democratic ticket, and received a majority of 479. November 6, 1887, Mr. Watters was married to Miss Dora A. Wiley, of Washington county. Mrs. Watters' mother was the first white female child born in Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Watters have two children living, both girls While at Ashland, Mr. Watters learned the trade of printing, working in the office of the Ashland Tidings, and under Mr. Leeds, now state printer. Mr. Watters is prominent in local fraternal circles, being at this time sec retary of the Masonic lodge and chief patriarch of Qui Vive encampment, both of this city. He is also past master workman of Friendship lodge, and past noble grand of Newport lodge. I. O. O. F. William A. Buchanan. The custodian of Benton county s moneys, is a native son, being born on the farm in this county, where his father still resides a fine tract of land 10 miles south of Corvallis Mr. Buchanan was ushered into the world, October 18, 1858, and is the oldest living son of a large and respected family. He grew up in Benton county, obtaining his edu- ing of a woodsaw. The following year he moved to Linn county, on a place riear this city, and remained there un til 1891, when he took up his residence in Corvallis, where he has since re mained. He accepted a position as deputy county recorder,, under V. E. Watters, in 1894, and served in that capacity two years. He was a candidate for the of fice of county treasurer in 1894, run ning on the democratic ticket, but was defeated, his successful opponent being Fred Clark. Both men were candidates in 1896, but this time Mr. Buchanan was the' successful one. The majorities were very small in each instance, both candidates standing high in the esteem and respect of the voters. Mr. Buchanan was elected school clerk of district No. 9 (Corvallis), in 1896, and was re-elected last March. He stands the Jeffersonian test for a public office, being both honest and capable. cation at the Oregon Agricultural Col lege, and finishing his studies in 1881. In .November 01 that year he was united in marriage with Miss Nettie Wilbanks, and commenced farming on his own account, six miles south of tewn. In 1887, a serious misfortune be fell him, he losing an arm by the burst- Peter Rickard. The present sheriff of Benton county was born in this county, May, 1855, on his father's homestead, 12 miles south pf Corvallis. He attended the Agricul tural College in l875-'76, and in Oc tober, 1877, was married to Miss Clar inda Fiechter. One boy and thiee girls have been the result of this marriage. Mr. Kickard purchased a tarm on Beaver creek about this time, and ha since added to it, until he now has 500 acres of fine land. He has good build ings and other improvements in first- class order, and his farm is in fact one of the finest in the county. In 1892, he was elected county com missioner, serving a term of four years, and giving general satisfaction. In 189b he received the democratic nomination for sheriff, and was elected by a hand some plurality. He has quietly attended to the duties of his office, and evidently pleases the citizens of the county. He purchased the Ray property in Corval lis last fall, and makes that his family residence. Mr. Rickard is a man of known in tegrity, a successful farmer and a straightforward, valuable citizen. He is not a man of pretenses, and has no desire to shine in a borrowed light. He is a pleasant, matter-of-fact, every day citizen, and is a credit to his county. F. J. Chambers. The parents of F. J. Chambers were among the earliest settlers of Oregon, and he was born in this county, whose business affairs are his care and study, as county commissioner. Mr. Cham bers first opened his eyes in King's val ley, February 15, 1853, and has ever since resided in that fertile section. He is one of the leading agriculturists of IP V. - the county, and has a fine farm of 772 acres, devoted to grain and stock-rais ing. The farm is well improved, and Mr. Chambers has just finished the erec tion thereon of a handsome new resi dence, that cost over $1100. February 22, 1874, he married Miss Emma Maxfield, and the union has proved an unusually happy one. In 1890, Mr. Chambers was a candi date, on the republican ticket, for coun ty commissioner, and was elected. He was re-elected in 1894. and is now serv ing his second term. One of the most thankless positions is that 01 a member ot tne county court. The wisest actions offend some one, and the slightest approach to an even unimportant error raises "a storm of criticism. Taxeaters, on the one hand, and the taxpayers, on the other, are ever ready with complaints. The fact that Mr. Chambers is serving his second term shows that the voters are entirely satisfied with his share in the management of the affairs of the county. Mr. Chambers is a worthy, unpre tentious citizen, and a man of good, hard sense. John A. Buchanan. The gratifying decrease in the debt of Benton county during the past fiscal year, as shown by the recent financial exhibit, is due to strict economy and careful methods on the part of the county court. One of the members, John A. Buchanan, was elected county commissioner on the republican ticket in June, 1896, by a plurality of over 300. This is his first experience as an office holder, although he has frequently been urged to accept political honors.- Mr. Buchanan is one of Nature's noblemen, and has the respect and confidence of all who know him. No man stands higher than he, as a man or citizen. He was born in England, March 31, 1838, and obtained most of his educa tion in that country. He came' across the isthmus with his parents in 1856,' and settled in Benton county, south of Corvallis.' His father died in 1861, and his mother about ten years ago. He was married to Miss Ruth Gard ner, of Douglas county, January 15 1873. The couple have eight children living, three boys and five girls. Mr. Buchanan spent nine years in mines in Idaho, between 1862 and 1872, and the money he made there he in vested in farm land in Bnton county, on which he now lives. He owna 1400 acres of good land, 600 acres being in cultivation. His place is well improved, and he is free from debt. FIRST CAPITOL OF OREGON. Now SOflE REMINISCENCES. Brief Mention of a Few of the More Important Persons and Events Connected with Benton's Early History. I BY HON. JOHN BURNETT. The capitol of the state was officially located at Corvallis, January 13, 1855. In the month of April, following, the territorial printer, Ashael Bush, had moved -the publication office of the Oregon Statesman to Corvallis. The First Comptroller of the Treas ury Department but shortly afterward notified the governor and secretary of the territory that the relocation act of the session of 1854-5 was without force or effect until it received congressional approval; that no expenditures of gov ernment money must be made, except at Salem; that contracts made for ex penditures for the public buildings at that place must not be annulled; and that no member of the legislature should be paid mileage or per diem for at tending a session convened at any other place than Salem. Governor Curry and Secretary Hard ing returned to Salem with their re spective offices, and work was resumed on thepublic buildings'al oalern. As the time approached for the session of the legislature, the -knowledge had spread as to the implicit instructions received in September by Secretary Harding from the First Comptroller, as to the status of the relocation of the capitol. However, a large majority of both houses assembled at Corvallis, Decem ber 3d, 1855. On the 6th, L. F. Gro ver introduced the first and only bill passed at Corvallis. Its purport was to relocate the seat of government at Salem. On the 10th, the bill passed the house, to take effect and be in force on the 12th. Its passage was immediately reported to the council, but there was no quorum of that body in session. On the next day, the council proceeded to its consideration. Amendments were offered, suggest ing a location by the popular vote, and different towns were, in turn, named for the capital, but all such proposi tions were severally defeated. Thei council then amended the section fix ing the time, making it the 15th instead of the 1 2th, and then returned the bill to the house for concurrence. The house promptly concurred, and the as sembly adjourned, to meet at Salem, at which city the session was resumed on the 18th. On the night of the 29th, the capitol building was fired by an incendiary, the building destroyed and the territorial li brary and furniture consumed. The act of the territorial legislature locating the seat of government at Cor vallis provided for removing the state university (which had formerly been lo cated at Corvallis) to Jacksonville; so that when the capital was relocated at Salem, Corvallis lost both the capital and university. In 1868, a bill, known as house bill No. 81, was introduced into the legisla ture, providing for the organization and establishment of the State Agricultural College. The bill, as reported, desig nated the Willamette University, at Salem, as the agricultural college of the state, to receive the endowment pro vided by act of congress. On the second reading of the bill, on motion Hon. C. B. Bellinger, member from Benton county, (now judge of the United States district court for Oregon), Cor vallis College was substituted for Wil lamette University, and that is the way Corvallis secured the State Agricultural College. - - The lawyers of Benton county are worthy of mention in this brief sketch. Benton county has always had a strong bar; her attorneys have been called at different times to all parts of the state in important cases; and four of them, to-wit, Kelsay, Thaye Burnett and Strahan, have graced the bench of the supreme court of the state. She has furnished a larger number of supreme judges than any county in the state; and in addition to this, Judge Bellinger, a former resident and lawyer of Benton county, is the present judge of the United States district court for the district of Oregon. Ex-Governor Thayer was a former resident and law yer of Benton, as was ex-Senator Slater. In the constitutional convention and in the halls of the legislature she has been represented by strong men the delegates to the convention being Colo nel John Kelsay, H. C Lewis, H. B, Nicols and Wm. Matzger. In the ter- ritorial legislature we find the names of: J. C. Avery, A. N. Locke, George E. Cole, James A. Bennett, and others. Under the state organization, we find as senators: A. G. Hovey, J. R. Bay ley, R. S. Strahan, J. B. Lee, J. S. Palmer, John Burnett, E. Woodward, T. E. Cauthorn and others; in the lower house: A. M. Witham, C. P. Blair, J. Quin Thornton, James Ginggles, F. A. Chenoweth, W. J. Kelly, Ben Simpson, C. B. Bellinger and others. Benton county is justly proud of her public men, many of whom have passed away, Located on Adams 8t., Corvallis. but they did their duty faithfully and . ably, and they are entitled to, and will receive, the commendation, "well done, thou good and faithful servant," by those who come after them. A PROMINENT EDUCATOR. John B. Horner was born in Texas, August 4, 1856. He came to Walla Walla in May, 1862, and moved with his par ents to Union county, this state, in the early "sixties." Here he served as a hired hand wherever he could get such work as a boy could do, laboring on farms and ranches; and it is said that he helped make the brick for the first brick building in Union county. But the desire uppermost in the boy's breast was to be a teacher; so one day, while he was driving an ox team from Ora Dell, he expressed his ambition to an intimate friend, and said, as he pointed to the white school house in the upper portion of old La Grande: "The man who teaches in that building exercises a greater influence than any other man in this county." The friend urged him to attend col lege, and the advice was heeded. This, with the counsels of a mother, influenced the life of a boy. He had already ac quired the rudiments of an elementary education, at public school, and at Whit man Seminary (now Whitman Col lege), asd collecting his means . .went to Philomath College, which at that time was one of the best patronized institutions in the state. Here he made his way without as sistance, chopping wood, doing jani tor work, teaching school at . the age of 16, and performing such other work as could be had. Mornings, evenings and Saturdays were his own; but while other boys were amusing themselves with the many interesting college games, he was developing his muscle in the garden, or on the sturdy oaks, which he made into fuel. At Philomath Col- lege he received the degree of M. S., graduating with the largest class ever sent out from that institution. . He also attended the Blue Mountain University and Willamette University, and the lat ter institution confered the degree of A. B. upon him in 1885. He has been principal of the public schools at Brownsville, Union, Rose burg and Albany. In 1891 he was ap pointed to a position as teacher in the Oregon State Agricultural College, where he assisted the president; . but upon the death of President Arnold, which took place that year, the chair of English was created, and Professor Hor ner was elected to that position, which he has since filled efficiently and satis factorily. At the recent board meeting, he was re-elected, by a unanimous vote. Being an enthusiast on the subject of lit erature, he has, at his own expense, made the largest collection of the por traits of authors to be found in the Northwest. He possess an extensive lit erary library, which is accessible to stu dents, and which is very helpful to them.- Professor Horner's life has been a very busy one. With the exception of the newly elected president, he has had more experience in teaching than any other professor in the O. A. C. While pursuing his regular work, he has edited three journals, one of which was the State Teachers' School Journal," founded by Rev. J. R. N. Bell. He was secretary and manager of the Oregon State Teachers' Reading Circle during one of the years of its greatest pros perity; has been secretary of the State Teachers' Association during fourteen years, and is the senior member of the State Board of School Examiners at the present time. He has lectured at dif ferent times; and has published several pamphlets, one of which is "Book keeping for Beginners." He is now preparing a manual of literature. W. S. Gardner. Most of the cuts that illustrate this edition were made from photographs taken by Mr. Gardner, a thorough artist. His woric is always satistactory, and this paper gladly, recommends him to the public. Original photographs, large size, of the buildings here portrayed, can be obtained from his gallery. 1 ;Py. .