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.
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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.
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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. .