Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 21.djvu/94

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84 READ BAIN

Chemistry, Drawing, Painting, Monochromatic Drawing, Music, French.

In 1851, we learn the school has several important advant- ages, viz. : "deserved celebrity for healthfulness, being free of intermittent fevers, being convenient to steam boats. The cost for the respective grades was then only 6 } 8, and 10 dollars. Courses: Languages, Music and the "ornamental branches." Harvey Clark was secretary.

The Prof. Shattuck mentioned above had come out to teach in Ezra Fisher's "Oregon City College," later Oregon City University, later moved to McMinnville as the Baptist College. In 1852, then, Oregon City had this Baptist College, the "un- denominational" Methodo-Congregational Clackamas County Female Seminary and two Catholic schools.

I am unable to get any information as to the work of the Clackamas County Female Seminary from 1852 to 1860.

PORTLAND ACADEMY AND FEMALE SEMINARY

In 1849, Jas. H. Wilbur left the Oregon Institute and went to Portland with the idea of founding a Methodist school. He prevailed upon the real estate firm of Chapman, Coffin and Lownsdale to donate a site. The deed stated that the three blocks therein conveyed were to be "held in trust to build a male and female seminary thereon and therewith." They were located at West Park and Jefferson streets. All three were covered with heavy fir timber.

Wilbur went to work clearing the land and seeking sub- scriptions. He was not very successful at the latter, so he borrowed $5,000 on his personal note and spent it on the build- ings. He begged money and material from door to door; was ox-driver, axe-wielder, architect, painter, blacksmith, preacher and financial agent. By November 17, 1851, it was ready for occupancy and Calvin S. Kingsley was installed as teacher, assisted by Nehemiah Doane.

It was incorporated June 25 1854, 25 with Wilbur as presi-

25 Oreg. Ter. Special Laws, 1854, p. 49.