Monday. January 18, 1594
SALEM'S FIRST PROMOTER
THE CAPITAL JOURNAL, Salem, Oregon
W. H. Willson, who held as a bonded agent the area of orig
inal Salem, has Willson park named in his honor. That he
founded Salem, platted the town or named it a.-i not estab
lished facts.
Willson Outstanding in
Early History of Salem
By BEN MAXWELL
To those who Inquire the casual
answer it:
W. H. Willson founded Salem
and named the place. He gave
Willson park to the town."
None of these answers is pre
cisely true. William Holden
Willson did not found Salem.
That was an accomplishment by
many minds of Methodist mis
sionaries who founded a settle
ment here in 184041. That W.
H. Willson named Salem is a
disputecd statement He did not
Rive Willson park to Salem, he
onlv gave it his name.
Who, then, was W. H. Will
son? Caroline C. Dobbs in a
thumbnail biography about "Men
nf Champoeg" relates that he
was New Hampshire born in
1801. In early life he followed
the sea as a snip's carpenter and
cooper on whaling ships. Present
ly he became religious and join
ed the first reinforcement for
the Methodist mission in Ore
gon and arrived here, May 18,
1837, on the bri'g Diana.
Dr. Elijah White who was as
sociated with Willson on that
long passage around Cape Hornl
describes him as a man live teei
ten inches in height, cheerful,
sympathetic and fond of relat
ing old sea stories. He had a
strange, childish partiality for
cats and, since there was none
aboard the Diana, he made a pet
of a beautiful kid whose head he
would comb and caress for an
hour at a time. To the distress
of Willson this kid, named Tip,
partook of paint left open and
died before the brig reached
nnrf Willson was an aelurophile.
While en route Willson had
listened to Dr. White discourse
upon the subject of medicine and '
thereby gamca some nrawituse
of therapy. But, as W. H. Gray,
the historian and contemporary,
remarks about Willscn: He was
a cheerful, whole-souled; a good
sort of fellow, with a greater
ibunclance of interesting and
funnv yarns than profound medi
cal skill, which always made
him agreeable and served to gain
friends and popularity in a com
munity that, as a general thing,
would prefer a tincture of hum
buggery." c;n h was also licensed as
a local preacher he did consid
erable ministerial work in con- ;
junction with his medical prac
tice' ., .
A matter that reflects .10 cre
dit either upon Willson or his
wife, Chloe, may now be re
called and somewhat over-simplified
in a paragraph that re
quired J. Quinn Thornton pages
to elucidate with legal profundi
ties in "Salem Land Titles.' pub
lished in the city directory for
1874. .
A board of trvses concerned
with the welfare and progress of
Oregon Institute, later Willam
ette University, resolved to found
a city upon the site of Salem and
devote the proceeds from land
Ues to Institute development.
W H Willson was named agent
for a partnership claim dedicat
ed to Institute sustenance and
ultimately title in this benefac
tion was vested in him in the ca
pacity of a bonded agent respon
sible to the Institute board.
Willson held title to this claim
when the donation land act be
came effective in 1850. By terms
of this act Willson's wife, Chloe,
was legally entitled to half of
the Institute's patrimony and
since only Willson was bound by
terms ot tne bond Mrs. Willson
resolved to retain as "mine own
oyster" that part of the Insti
tute's heritage north of State
street Despite appeals and tears
on the part of the board she
did retain her legal rights and
made her equity in the benefac
tion claim a cold, hard reality.
Willson's so-called plat of Sa
lem, filed with I. N. Gilbert,
clerk of public lands for Marion
county, March 22, 1850, des
cribes a townsite of 89 blodts. It
is not unlikely that W. H. Will-
son as lieent filed this Dlat
That I. N. Gilbert, pioneer of
1847. surveyed the first plat of
Salem is recorded in his biog-
raDhv. First rlat of Salem cov
ered North Salem, an area of 29
blocks, and was tiled by L. H.
Judson and J. B. McClane
month before the soalled Will
son plat was entered. Another
historical source accredits Rev.
L H. Judson, a missionary with
a mathematical turn of mind,
with the survey of the Willson
niat That nv of these parties
conceived the ultimate plan of
Salem seems improbable. More
than likely it was a consumma
tion of many minds associated
with the board of trustees for
Oregon Institute.
One emminent historical au
thority states that Salem re-
Divine Power
Bailey s Theme
Yon can rely oa Cod, divine
Love, for the solving of problems
not merely with "beautiful hope"
but with expectation of "dynam
ic power Arch Bailey of Sacra
mento, California, uid a large
audience here Friday night
Far from impractical, prayer
based on spiritual understands
of God as divine Love actually
neais sicaness, discord, fear, and
moral problems, Mr. Bailey said.
He added that many people are
proving daily that this is true.
On nationwide tour as a mem
ber of The Christian Science
Board of Lectureship, be spoke
under the auspices of First
Church of Christ, Scientist in
Senior High School .auditorium.
His lecture was on "Christian
Science: The Joyous Wav of
Love."
To regard love as only a mood
of meditation is a mistake, Mr.
Bailey said. Love transforms a
person's whole exnerienee. he ri.
clared.
'Jesus taught that there were
no greater commandments than
love for God and love for one's
fellow men." he said.
Regardless of the problem, Mr.
Bailey said, divine Love has "in-
nnite resources with which to
meet mankind's needs. These
sources of Love are wholly spir
itual and therefore necessarily
come to each of us as ideas, and
necessarily have to be under
stood and demonstrated by each
human consciousness."
In Christian Science, he ex
plained, "man reflect Melt nn
of God's spiritual qualities. Man
as God's expression is perfect in
form, function, and faculty. He
is never distorted nor deformed,
for he is Mind's outlined excel
lence. His functioning can never
be impaired nor obstructed, for
he expresses Mind's perfect ac
tivity. His faculties can never be
dimmed nor lost for they are
eternally secure in SouL"
He added: "As human thought
awakens to the eternal bnmna
of Love, the dream of material
ity, including sin, disease, and
death, vanishes, and the true na
ture of being becomes apparent"
CRASH TO BE PROBED
London (UP) British Over
seas Airways Corporation an
nounced today it will ooen an
investigation into "the Dossihil
ity of sabotage" in the crash of
its Comet jet airliner last Sunday
wun we loss ot 33 lives.
fast Salem
EAST SALEM Four East Salem
parent school organisations art
scheduled for East Salem schools
this wiwk
Middle Grove Mothers club
meets Monday, Jan. It, in the
school bouse at T:S0 p m.
Swegle Parents-Teachers associ
ation meets Tuesday Bight at the
school.
A program was planned at an
executive board meeting the past
week, with the following officers
present: David Bates, president;
William Sampir, vice president;
Mrs. Zack Tipton, membership;
Mrs. Hay Bernard?, hospitality;
Mrs. Everett Morris, secretary;
Mrs. Harold Foller, publicity: Mrs.
Glenn DeLapp, prcgram; and Mr.
and Mrs. Julius Mikha, and Clar
ence Irving, principal. . '
Washington school Mothers club
meets Thursday at on o'clock in
the multi-purpose room at the
school. The special guest speaker
will be the assistant state school
superintendent, Mrs. Gubser.
Auburn school Mother's club
meets Thursday, Jan. II, at 7:90
p.m. In the school.
The meeting of the Needle and
Thread 4-H club of the past week
was at the home of Charlene Wyatt
needle cases were worked by the
girls, with Mrs. Melvin Alt. lead
er. Attending were Linda Blank en-
ship, baylene Van Cleave, Gargyle
Gaggagher. Janice Reynold.', San
dra Alt, Sandra Everhart, and
Charlene Wyatt. Refreshments
were served the girls by Mrs. Wyatt.
The Jolly Dolly 4-H sewing club
met for last week's meeting with
their leader, Mrs. Albert Suran.
The overcast seam was demon
strated by Janice Pahl. Garment
bag protectors were made. Present
were Marilyn Page, Janice Smal
ley, Eileen Smalley, Janice Volt-
ing, jamce Fahl, Darlene Clark.
Marietta Pendcreast Sharon Mnt.
lins and Mrs. Suaran. Marilyn Page
ufiervuea games.
Home from a 10 davs trln ainth
by auto into southern California
are Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Brandt and
sons, James and Larry. They vis
ited tn the borne of the Brandts'
daughter and family. Mr. and Mrs.
Howard Ames at Whittier. Calif.,
and with other relatives at Long
Beach and in Los Angeles.
Gueuts Thursday at the Halbert
Kemper home on Lansing Ave.,
were her aunt and uncle. Mr. and
Mrs. Clyde May from Vernonia.
CENTRAL HOWELL FD
Central Howell The Central
Howell local of the Farmers Union
will meet at the school house on
Monday, Jan. IB at I p. m.
it appears, Willson was addicted
to puffing and chewing. Then
one day, out of consideration for
health, he decided to stop the
habit and adopted a novel meth
od He put a piece of first rate
tobacco in his vest pocket, took
it out and looked ai it from
time to time, praised it as be
ing first rate tobacco, sniffed it
and closed his mouth with this
determination: "You can't come
in here."
April 17. 1856. Willson rode
horseback from his home at the
northeast corner of Court and
Capital streets to W. K. Smith's
drug store near the steamboat
landing. He told those there,
that, though ailing for months,
he now felt as good as ever. He
seated himself and soon, without
warning, collapsed. Within a
hour he was dead at the age of
55. His grave is among the old
er in Salem's Pioneer Cemetery.
DICK HAVMES ILL
Miami Fla ITPl Rl.h.ia
actress Riu Hayworth uid to
day her husUnd, crooner Dick
Havmea tiaa hMn Mnfi..J .
bed with a bronchial condition
and would be out of his night
club show for the next few days.
Ralph G. Desart
Rites Tuesday
FLORENCE (Speciall-Funeral
services for Ralph G. Desart, 77,
who passed away Jan. It, at bis
coastal home II miles north of
Florence, Jan. 14. will be held
at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. II, at
iligdon's Mortuary with interment
in the Pioneer cemetery.
Born in Silverton, Jan. It, 1(77,
he waa one of the 15 children of
George and Melissa Desart, who
Pan 11
had earlier crossed the plaint by
wagon train and settled in Howell
Prairie. Fifty-seven years ago be
married Mia Mabel Swartz, also
of an early pioneer family, and
until four years ago they made
their home on Garden road, fann
ing and operating a laree hon varH
on part of her family's original
homestead. He . m mmKm
Salem Elgs lodge and the Salem
rrexoyierian church.
Sufvivinf am him mntm U.K.I.
son, Roland Desart, Florence;
granooaugnier. Miss Yvonne De
art, Portland: sisters, Mrs. Anna
brooks. Everett. Waah un
Bowen, Salem, and airs.' Maude
Pooler, Prelum.
Brooks
BROOKS Immunisation shots
were given to 11 students at Brooks
school by Mrs. Edith Haulman,
'county health nurse. She was as
sisted by Mrs. William Pfau and
Mrs. Robert Pirtle. Feb. 11, is
the date set for the next clinic
at the school.
Norton Wood. Orville Wymore
and George Ramp have beea sel
ected to serve on the budget com
mittee. ,j
The Brooks annual fireman's ball -will
be held Jan. n in the school
gym, the PTA will serve the refreshments.
2000 OREGON GROUPS
LIKE THIS PLAN OF
SERVICE BENEFITS
flls
at
The employes in more than 2000 Oregon firms have
, Aieaicat ana Hospital protection through Oregon
Physicians' Service.
This plan provides professional serricts in case of
skknesj or accident not just allowances which may,
or may not, cover doctors' bills. .
This tame SERVICE PLAN so widely used
among Oregon businesses is available for individ
taals and f ot famjliet. Please use tbe coupon for more
Information.
OREGON PHYSICIANS' SERVICE
BLM SUIEUIfi&u -a
eataoN nniKiatu' liavKi
lta.W. 101. Niitarf.o.
Hm 4 AW r MIOICAl t HOW1TM SnVKS rlMfj
OtOUF KAN (Taw, m mt Itatt I Miplarai awa I warta
NOM OIOUF Mm.n , , I
i : :
i '.
i, """; 1 1 ' '
' .
go mQ TTj X3D iTJKbi ot iQ) mc offlr mrm .rmtvm l"
; - is i
l.f,r'??gUJ-" l!l.J!l."i -,M'- ' "' j
sJrf) m -n i " a ii -k "l Tfi' Ti ititfttii ' ' ' ' I r
- mWf It i, ijlr I
i 1
r Sasssnei , An usstaHiiiliiig oacsmrplo of fjueMav xteaoty' in dse low-price BcU .
to new Creattiae Fordor is tlx fashion ear for the) Affienoan Road.' ,
ceived its Hebraic name, mean
ing pesce, from Willson. An
other just as well informed says
that Rev. David Leslie, native of
Salem, Massachusetts, named it
for his home town. Still another
asserts that there is written au
thnritv to show the missionaries
aboard the Laussane decided to
name the new town "Salem, a
derivitive of ancient Jerusalem.
J. Henry Brown, the local his
torian, heard from Dr. Willson's
own lips the story about how he
quit the tobacco habit For years,
Do You Know?
You Can Keep the
Handicapped Employed
Bv sending: Clothing, Fur
niture, Toys, and all sorts
of Household Articles to
GOODWILL
INDUSTRIES
Phone 4 224R for Tuesday
pickups in West Salem and
South of Center St., Fridays
North of Center.
Pickups Tuesdays, Fridays
' l 4
Now Astro-Dial Instrument Panel is a safety dividend with speed- Stylo-Setting Interiors in Ford give you beauty from the inside out!
ometcr placed high on the panel for easier reading. Warning lights tell Colorful new upholstery fabrics and smart trim are another '54 Ford
when generator ia discharging or oil pressure falls too low.
dividend . . . help make Ford the style leader of the industry.
1 S-tbiraL 0)SwndlS!rdls5
LEON'S
2 for 1
Shoe Sale
Now in
Progress
Buy the first pair at regu
lar ortre art the second
New Low Prices!
Famous Westinghouse
Laundromat and Clothes Dryer
Nosher AV9.95
Offer for a limited time only
Yeater Appliance Co.
OPEN FRIDAY NIGHT HI
37$ Chemeketa Phono 3-4311
V
o
The '51 Ford gives you extra Dividends in style, in
performance, in ride, with fine-ear features you would
normally expect to find only in highest-priced cars.
The new Y-block V-8
with tht new ,rt-Wp rrinkea., hm
l.V)-h.p. for dividend of 18Tt morepoutr.
And 70a can rvjor V-8 advantagr on Je
jr.' FW-turning orrrhnd Talven and
horwr pixtoa tlroU htp pe itmfr
mfw tir'
The ntw I-block Six
hats 1 15-h.p. for a dividend of 1 tr. mnrt
ptmer. Lke th V-8, it ha Ford's lliftK
Turhut-nce GrmbtiMion ChaniVr for
more rmnplete and eronomiral cnmhtit
hon of fuel. Ift the lale! word on high-low-frictioB
Sis drign.
Ball-Joint Front Suspension
It allow, greater up and down wheel
travel for a imoolhcr ride . . . helpa keep
wheels in true alignment for consist
ently e bailing. Wherla move oa
ball joinla, whether up or down ...
right or left.
Plus 5 optional power assists
that make driving eaaier, more ptrasanl! You can have Tower Urt VnHowa
. . . 4-Wav Power Front Seat . . . Swift Sure Power Bralm . . . Mwier-Ouide
' steering . . . and ordomatie Lmve. lbey re au available form
Come, in for a Test Drive
'54 Ford
VALLEY MOTOR COMPANY
375 Center Street
Sdlem, Oregon
l pair FREE!