Page Six
80th Anniversary Edition, The Oregon Statesman
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Illinois Group of Religionists Founded To wn Primarily as Place to Educate Young;
Saloons Forever Barred in Charter; University Opened in 1861 ; Presidents Noted
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of Mdnmoutli
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By Mrs. Beulah Craven
A MONG picturesque and noteworthy figures '.of history,
the pioneer of Oregon obtain a unique, endemical sig
nificance. Less concerned were they, in the large, for per
sonal acquisition and aggrandizement, than for the advance
ment of the common good; for the most consistent uplift
and benefit of the greatest number of people,
The founding of Monmouth, Oregon, exemplifies in an
outstanding type, this fundamental altruism. Eighty or
more years ago in Monmouth," Ill a small group of, men and
women, ambitiousthough not young became imbued with
an idea to go into the far western frontier and estab-
iisn an institution at wirn ne
"Where men and women, alike,
may become schooled In the- eel
ence of living and In the f nnda-
mental ; principles of religion
They planned, of coarse, to
carve homes in the new environ
ment; to afford their families
protection and the necessities of
living; and, ultimately, to build a
prosperous community. But the
motivation of their migration
was, essentially, to establish an
institution of learning.
Donation Claims
Community Nucleus
In 1850, Squire S. Whitman
and Thomas H. Lucas, as the van
guard of these prolific dreamers,
came to Polk county. They were
joined a little later, about 1862,
by Ira F. M. Butler, Albert Lu
cas, William Murphy, Elijah B.
Davidson and John E. Murphy,
who with their wives made the
long, arduous journey. Each of
these families took donation land
claims, or bought squatter's
rights, thus forming the nucleus
of a little community with the
central aim and purpose of found
ing a college.
In deciding upon a name for
the site, this Interesting Incident
occurred: as the proposed insti
tution of learning received al
ways the first consideration,
trustees were chosen before
ground was selected for its erec
tion. A tiny group appointed as
committer some say five per
sons as the first organization of
any sort to function here, met
and voted on three names: Mon
mouth,1 Dover and Cincinnati.
Monmouth and Dover tied on a
majority vote, so Ira F. M. But
ler, chairman of the group, was
privileged to cast the deciding
vote, and a ha favored "Mon-J
mouth" he so cast his ballot.
16 Blocks In
Original Townsite
The first survey of the terri
tory was made in 1855 by T. H.
Hutchinson; and the original
"town" was comprised of 19
squares, or blocks, which, now,
constitute the central portion of
Monmouth. Several families, in
cluding those of Allen Shirley
and WMlliam Mason, had joined
the little band, and In the same
year Joseph B. V. Butler opened
e small store and became the
first postmaster. Hart also
built a store. A drug store, a har
ness shop, and sash and door fac
tory came with the coming of
more settlers.
Bethel Academy, In Polk coun
ty, was already in existence. A
mutual concurrence of opinion
among leaders of the Christian
church, brought about a reloca
tion of this academy at Mon
mouth. Land was freely donated
for a campus, and a small build
ing erected. It was not a beautiful
building nor Jmposing. One 'of
the founders is said to have re
marked at a public gathering:
''Our surroundings are new and
cruel here. We must control
them: not let tlum control us!"
Monmouth university opened !
v
its doors In 1881. In 186C the
Institution became .known .
Christian college. A smell - gram
mar school was built in 1851
where the Davidson Photo stu
dio now stands, and Judge Cowls
of McMinnville, acted as teacher.
In 185, also., the Christian
church was organised, end ser
vices were , held in the little
square schoolhouse with Rev.
John E. Murphy as first minister.
Church and School
Membership Same , !
The membership of the lKtle,
church and the scholarship in the
university was largely concur-
rent., When the university build
ing was completed it superseded
the little grammar school for
church gatherings. In time this
dual-function building also be
came inadequate, and the central
wing of the brick structure, later
to become the nucleus of the Ore
gon Norma) school, was built in
1871.
Among the names of early
presidents of Monmouth univer
sity and Christian .college are
found Profeseor Thomas W. Ha
ley, Professor L. L. Rowland, and
Professor A. D. Butler. In 186.
Professor Thomas F. Campbell
came from Montana to preside
over the college, serving wfth dis
tinction for 13 years. He laid th
foundation for an advanced pro
gram of higher learning, and was
largely influential in promoting
the ultimate growth, and exnan-
sio nof the school prior to 1900.
It is Interesting to note that con
temporaneous with his duties as
president oi the school h
preached at regular intervale.
iugnt tne xundamentals of the
mm; and began about 1870
the publication of the Christian
Messenger, polk county's first
newspaper.
Saloons Prohibited
In Town's Charter
Monmouth was qualified from
it. t .
us oeginning as a synonym ef
chaste morals and earnest Chris
tlan character and scholarship.
for its cltlsenry was dedicated to
the Outlawry of saloons, no 16t
ever being sold here except with
the explicit understanding that
me presence of such a scourge
should forfeit title, pool halls,
lung promoted, are still rele
gated to second story occupance.
The college laid down 16 rules
and enforced their observance.
Diligent study, full attendance,
clean living and good discipline
were required. An excerpt con
tains this: "Every candidate for
admission into the college must
present evidence of good moral
character, it Is required that ev
ery student be diligent in study,
and punctual In attendance; that
he neither introduce upon the
premises nor use any tntoxicatinr
beverages; that he abstain from
profanity, gaming, card playing:
that he do not visit a drinking sa
loon, attend any ball, billiard sa
loon or other improper place of
amusement; that be shall neither!
keep in his possession r use fire- i
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; Record is Matter of Pride
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' ;- . 3y Merle R. Chessman I ;
i Editor-Manager, Astorian-Budjjet f
"TNFORMATION has just reached me that The Ore
JL gon Statesman will on March 28th publish an edi
tion which will commemorate and celebrate 80 years of
continued existence. I hasten, therefore, Jto extend for
the members of! the staff of the AstoriantBudget most
hearty congratulations. These congratulations go too,
to the people of Salem and Marion county that they
have had in their midst for such a long period a news
paper whose very age testifies to its value.
. "A newspaper which has for four score years
been the spokesman for such a community as our cap
ital city, which has voiced its hopes, and, aspirations,
recorded the progress and development it has made
:year by year, chronicled the daily events :in its life and
in the lives of ijts citizens and which has counseled and .
advjsed it through all is indeed a most! intimate and
i important part of the community. That it has survived
through all the changing fortunes and vicissitudes
which 80 years have brought, grown and prospered,
speaks! more eloquently than can any words for the
character it has maintained and to the -service it has
-rendered, for there is no commercial institution more
dependent for success upon public confidence than a
newspaper. i ; -
4 "Your 80 ears of uninterrupted publication is a
. hertiage of which any newspaper would be proud. Let
me say, too, that it is no small asset to you, for it is a
pledge and a guarantee to your readers. While faith
'in," the future Js perhaps more essential to continued
success than pride in the past, a long arid notable rec
ord of service 'and achievement is a steadying anchor
for any institution.
1 "May your birthday be a happy ope and bring to
you satisfying .evidences of an appreciation which will
inspire you to larger efforts in behalf fof community
and state. This is the wish of myself-and associates
on; the occasidn of the celebration o your 80th an
niversary." I
arms, a dirk, a Bowie knife, or
any other kind of deadly weapon;
that he do not loiter on the
streets."
Whitman and Lucas
Monmouth Vanguard
The literary society was the
principal medium of social recre
ation; and the "love of truth, the
power ef faith, respect for author
ity, the exceeding sinfulness of
sin. and the beauty of holiness,"
were stressed at convocation each
morning. i
Eventually the building and
grounds were donated, in 1882.
to the state of Oregon as the base
of a -state Normal school; such
a step being fully In keeping with
the progressive cultural Ideals
held by its pioneer founders.
Joseph Butler was
Earliest Postmaster
Other distinguished presidents
of this .Institution i were Prince l
Campbell, who later went to head
the University of,' Oregon; and
President E. D. Ressler, who for
seven years- endeared himself to
the students of thp school and the
people or the town. When the
state legislature voted no appro-
yriBuua ior support or Normal
schools in 1909, President Ressler
taught on at Monmouth for many
months , without salary -as did
many of his faithful co-workers
in order that students, dependent
upon the hope bf certification.
should not be disappointed.
JWH. Ackerman, a former state
superintendent of nubile instmc
tion.- became president at Mon
mouth when the 'school was re
opened in 1911.1 His death oc
curred Ia 1921:1 and since that
time J; S. Landers has been chief
executive of the Normal.
Monmouth-College
Opened Doors jn 1861
wunin tne past 20 years many
changes have improved the Nor-.
Dial grounds and .beautified them;
and the administration hniMinv1
has been enlar&red anrf ailarari '
within. New buildings have been
At .
added; a gymnasium, training
school building, women's dormi
tory; and another training school
at Independence. Rickreall, Val
setz and Oak Point have been
made rural training centers. The
scope of the work has been, broad
ened; and tjie. student-hody and
faculty membership has amplified
accordingly.
Most of the original business
buildings of Monmouth have
been replaced with permanent
structures of brick or stucco.
Concrete walks; paved principal
streets; andi fire-fighting equip
ment appcovpd by the national
board of fire-insurance underwrit
ers; a city water system providing
pure mountain water; a post of
fice of the second class; and a
standard high school and gymnasium-
are all utilities .Indicative
of Monmoutii's forward march of
progress. t
Numerous! graduates and ex-
students of ;tbis Institution have
SALEM, FLOUR MILLS
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THIS MTfiT.. AT Jin Cli.iri. w.,t
OF.THK SOITtli Ii.v.,7 .V.V1' .VirJl
SILVERTON NEW
MILL FINISHED
Women Prepare Dinner as
Stockholders Gather;'
Bourne ia There
"Visit of Stockholders Yester
day Jonathan Boarae, Jr, William
Dunbar and other stockholders of
the Oregon i Milling company to
gether fith' a number of Invited
guests from Portland, came up on
the narrow gauge to Silverton to
witness the maiden efforts of their
new $45,000 mill at that place. The
mill was finished last Saturday
and yesterday was selected as the
time for testing the . machinery.'
The train arrived at 10:45 and the
visitors were eoon inside the mill.
At about 11 a.m. Superintendent
Mcintosh turned on the water and
the mill began grinding. The ma
chinery worked splendidly,: and as
the guests passed from one room
to another they expressed . them
selves as more than pleased with
its appearance and workings. After
thoroughly inspecting the beautiful
but -complicated machinery with
which the mill ia furnished, the
party adjourned to an adjacent
warehouse, where a table groaning
under its load of choice edibles
awaited them." J
carved distinguished records
among Oregon's "Who's Who," in
eluding the late Justice deorge H.
Burnett; Governor I. Li Patter
son Federal Judge Charles Wolv
erton; and Judge Robert Bean, of
Portland. I (
Many others may be J recalled.
from among the active ranks:
Mrs. Sheba Childs Hargreaven, j
of Portland, Oregon,' author; I
Judge Harry H. Belt' of Sa-
lem; Dean J. B. V. Butler of
the Normal; Dr. W. D, Burton.
president of the First National
Bank t Monmouth; Jeanette
Kramer, cooking school editor of,
the Oregonian; Julia A. Spooner,
Portland, president of the Na
tional Platoon school organiza
tion! Mrs. Mad elene t,. Callen,
valley editor of The Oregon
Statesman; Floyd D. Moore, Port
land attorney; Mrs. Gertrude II.;
Corbett, society editor,; of the
Portland Telegram: E. S. Even
den, assistant to Doctor Strayer in
the department of education at
Columbia Teachers college, New
York City; Miss Kate Houx, direc
tor' of teacher training1 at La
Grande Normal. !
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TOOI AT TIIK MOI Til V
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TAM,8. 1T W.18 bCrNEU W)wv 5B;.WHERK Ta PKB MILL NOV.
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