USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, 1900-1901 > Part 38
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CHARLTON B. PERKINS. A Native . Son of Oregon.
WALTER J. HOLMAN.
MRS. MABEL M. HOLMAN.
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A TOUR OF THE WORLD.
heard Americans refer to these enter- tainments as if they were every-day oc- currences and accessible to anybody, whereas the probability is that not one person in fifty living in Dresden or Leip- sic ever hears a symphony concert; and taking the Leipsic association concerts as an example, for this reason: The hall is capable of seating only about 1500 people. there are more than 1200 sub- seribers, who pay $1.25 a night each for twenty-two concerts during the year. This leaves but 300 tickets to be disposed of. which, for twenty-two concerts per vear, would aggregate a promiscuous at- tendance of 6600. Add to this number the 1200 regular subscribers, and we have 7800 different individuals brought under the sound of the music; which is less than one-fiftieth part of the 500,000 popu- lation claimed for Leipsic and suburbs. But again, the number of subscribers may exceed 1200, or the seating capacity of the hall be less than 1500-and a mem - ber of the association assured me that from 150 to 200 tickets to a concert were all that could possibly be counted on as procurable by the general public. and that I had been very fortunate in obtaining a ticket at all, which, as mentioned. cost me $3. Thus it will be seen that most of the people of Leipsic never hear a symphony concert. My guide there was an American student of music of seven years' residence, who, when I asked if he attended the concerts, instantly replied : "They are too expensive for me."
There are numerous traditions and in- teresting features in Dresden and Leip- sic of Germany's two most famous lit- erary men-Goethe and Schiller-Schil- ler in his earlier manhood having lived just outside the city last named; thie place connected with the name of Goethe in Leipsic most eagerly sought is "Auer- bach's Cellar," said to have been much frequented by him while a student in Leipsic University. Here and here- abouts he undoubtedly gained many of the experiences and imbibed many of the profound philosophical ideas so ro- mantically and picturesquely depicted in Faust and Wilhelm Meister. But of these gentlemen more anon.
As an illustration of the extraordin- ary commercial growth of Germany in the last thirty years, it may be men- tioned that there are scores of factory chimney's in and around Leipsic, all of them evidently built within that time; and Plagwitz, with a population of 60,- 000-a suburb and included in the al- leged 500,000 of Leipsic-has reached this increase from 5000 in the short space of twenty years. A further example is that of a single firm, beginning business in the then village of Plagwitz twenty-five years ago-two men, with fifteen to twenty workmen and a total capital of $5000-who today employ 3000 persons and have a capital of one and a quarter million dollars in stock and plant. I cannot enter into statistics, having none at hand, but if any one interested in the commercial and financial growth of the nations will investigate the progress of Germany in the last thirty years, it will be found amazing.
CHEMNITZ.
In line with the subject of the last paragraph, I will take up the Chem- nitz, situated on the river of the same name, one and a half hours' ride from Leipsic. It is a city of 200.000 people, possessing the usual prominent build- ings, rather more picturesquely situated than any city I have yet visited in Ger- many proper, but basing its claims to con- sideration on its industrial importance- iron working, locomotive building, cot- ton spinning and dyeing and knitting, glove making, etc. It was here, I think, that Hermsdorf made his discovery of the possibilities of procuring a fast black dye from analine, which is achieved by subsequently immersing the fabric in sulphuric acid baths. I had supposed this process cheaper than that of extract- ing the color from wood, but dyers in Leipsic assured me that it is not, though it is better, and more durable than wood dyes, requiring, however, greater care in manipulation. In a market square near the old Rath House stand three admir- able bronze monuments erected in June last-one of them a handsome equestrian statue of Emperor Williani I ; on each side of which is a fine full-length standing
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figure-Bismarck and von Moltke, re- spectively. All three are mounted on massive granite pedestals, and are re- markable for their dignity of pose and expression, and their artistic excellence.
WITTENBERG.
My next objective point was Witten- berg, a town of
15,000 people, on the right bank of the Elbe, fifty-three miles southwest of Berlin. It has a "schloss" over four hundred years old, which in part is in a fine state of restoration. The original structure was a castle and garrison church combined. The castle part is now used as an army barracks, and the church-"Luthers' Church"-has been well restored. Its dimensions in gross are: Length, 175 feet ; width. 45 feet, and height, 75 feet. It fronts to the west. In the rear of the chancel is an elegantly wrought marble reredos, the center space occupied by a statue of Our Lord, and those on either side by statues of Paul and Peter. On the side walls are life-size bronze statues of the builders of the church, 1497- "Frederick the Wise" (Frederick II., Elector Palatine, who embraced the doc- trines of Luther in 1545), and "Johann the Constant" (who became Elector of Saxony in 1525, and was a zealous de- fender of Protestant faith )-both staunch protectors of the great reformer, Luther. They are buried inside the chancel rail- ing, flat slabs of marble level with the floor marking their graves. A little be- yond and to the left lies Luther, and on the right Melanchthon, in marble sarco- phagi. About midway of north side of the church a bronze door replaces that of oak, to which Luther, in 1517, nailed his ninety-five theses. The original door was destroyed long ago, but the new bears upon its six bronze panels the ninety-five theses in raised letters. In an open plaza near by are two canopy- covered bronze statues of the two great reformers -- Luther and Melanchthon -- and at the corner of Dresden and Luther streets is an oak tree planted about 1820, to mark the spot where three hundred years before Luther publicly burned the napal bull of excommunication.
Not far distant from the church is the so-called Luther House, known in his time as the Augustine Convent, but which is now a Protestant school or post- graduate theological college. A room in this building is devoted to relics of Luther ; but before we got there the af- ternoon was too far advanced for us to see them without lamp light. and such light is forbidden therein.
HALLE.
Next in order is Halle, on the Salle. Its situation is as pleasing as that of Chemnitz. Like Leipsic it is famed for its university, founded in 1694, and though by no means equal to that city in population-having in fact only about 100,000-the number of new build- ings belonging to the university im- presses the beholder as indicating a pros- perous condition of that institution. The "university tract includes a very interest- ing relic-namely, the Moritzburg Cas- tle, now largely a ruin, though evidently once a formidable fortress. What re- mains of the castle is utilized as a Cal- vanistic church. Other notable build- ings are St. Mary's Church, or "Our Loved Women's Church," which, like Luthers' church at Wittenberg, has re- cently been renovated in good style. The opera-house and postoffice are fine build- ings, and there are good hospitals. free clinics, etc. The country in the neighbor- hood of Halle, same as that about Leipsic, is especially teeming with historical in- terest.
WEIMAR.
The ride from Leipsic to Witten- berg is only one and a half hours : from Wittenberg to Halle an hour. and thence to Weimar one hour and twenty minutes. Weimar, capital of the grand duchy of same-Weimar, is a beautiful little city of 25,000 inhabitants on the river Ilm, and is especially interesting to tourists on account of both Goethe and Schiller having lived there for some vears, at one time superintending the Royal Theater, both dying there. and now reposing side by side in the ceme- tery vault of the Grand Duke of Saxe- Weimar. These two famous men moved to Weimar and there the houses
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A TOUR OF THE WORLD.
wcupied by each are shown to visitors. That of Schiller is simple and unimpos- ing. but adequate; while that of Goethe is more spacious, having some twelve rooms and containing, in fact, quite a mi11set of interesting relics pertaining to their history. The Ducal Library of Weimar, numbering over 200,000 vol- 1111es, is in some respects a Goethe mu- semm also. However, the immediate personal belongings of Schiller and Goethe are seen in the houses they last occupied, which renders them quite as interesting as the more pretentious col- Iction in the library. The eminent Ger- man poets, Herder and Wieland, also re- sided at Weimar, contemporaneously with Goethe and Schiller. Not far from Weimar is Eisenach, where Luther was confined for ten months in the Wart- burg Castle (1521-22), in friendly dur- ance to shield him from the malice of his enemies. He engaged meanwhile in translating the scriptures. Near by is Erfurt, in which is situated an orphan asylum called Martinstiff, which was originally the Augustine Monastery, in which Luther was a monk. The cell oc- cupied by him where he threw an ink-
stand at the devil's head is shown to visitors, and the ink-spatters are said tobe still visible on the wall. Leipsic, Wit- tenberg, Eisenach and Erfurt contain many interesting relics relating to Luther, Melanchthon and the Elector Johann.
Two objects in Goethe's house at Wei- mar particularly attracted my attention- the one a bust of him on the ground floor, representing the great philosopher and German Shakespeare contemplating a grinning skull, and I thought "to this favor must we come." The last of the Goethes arrived there in 1885; in other words, the family is now extinct. Up- stairs is a life-size painting by Fleischer. which depicts Goethe's death, and is en- titled "More Light!"-Goethe's dying words. The usual construction placed upon the exclamation, "Light! more light!" ascribed to him, is that it indi- cated a triumphant realization of the greater soul-illumination of the beyond ; but as the expiring genius was not re- markable for piety, may it not have been simply the pathetic outcry of a mind sinking under an oppressive sense of the gathering darkness presaging deatlı ? Quien sabbe! Yours truly,
@myValentine
Indian tradition lends an air of en- chantment to the early history of the place, ad the student of Indian lore will find much of interest in the tales that are told by some of the old Wascos that are to be seen about the streets, legends that have been handed down for unknown generations until their origin is lost in the mists of antiquity.
There is a history that is older yet. It has never been written and may never be penned. Only inklings are to be found in the traces left by the progenitors of the Indians. The Indians never possessed the skill and knowledge necessary to perform the work such as was required to form the delicate and beautiful arrow heads, spear points and . ornaments, worked and fashioned in flint, absidian. opal and carnilian, such as are found
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amid the drifting sands along the banks of the Columbia river, and are offered for sale in the streets of The Dalles by the Indians. These are in design and workmanship not unlike those of the Aztecs of Mexico and the Pueblos ot Arizona. Paintings on the rock cliffs in the vicinity of The Dalles, and carvings and sculptures that have been discover- ed. all of unquestioned antiquity, show- ing many Azetc characteristics, indicate that the country was occupied far in the pre-liistoric past, by a race of people far superior to the Indians. There is a richi field for the antiquarian; and, while his researches may never discover the his- tory of the peoples that dwelt in the Co- lumbia basin before the Indian, much will doubtless be found that will shed light on their origin and fate.
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PIONEER SEAT OF LEARNING.
THE PORTLAND ACADEMY AND FEMALE SEMINARY.
Among the institutions of the state and territory of Oregon, which greatly tended toward the advancement of edu- cation and good morals none are remem- bered with more affection than the Port- land Academy and Female Seminary : "Though lost to Sight," it "is still to memory dear."
The modern resident of Portland who passes up Jefferson street, at the corner of West Park will notice an old building, with blackened walls and covered with signs on the outside, while inside it is used as a horse barn and livery stable, and he will quickly pass on without more than a hurried glance. Yet, if he will look back 49 years, and see the bright, happy and earnest faces, which have so often filled that building, he would pause and wonder, " to what base uses may we come at last ;" for among the institutions of learning, few have tended more to develope a love of education and knowl- edge and strengthen its servants in good citizenship than the old Portland Acad- emy and Female Seminary, for which this building was erected.
This building also tells the story of heroic endeavor and self sacrifice on the part of one of Oregon's most faithful pioneer ministers, many years since gone to his final reward-Reverend James H. Wilbur.
In September 185t the town proprie- tors, Messrs. Chapman, Coffin and Lownsdale, recognizing the necessity of schools and academies for their then em- bryo city, donated two blocks, namely, 205 (the one upon which this building now stands) and 224 (being the block immediately west of this) for this pur- pose, and made a deed thereof to Father Wilbur "in trust to build a male and fe- male seminary thereon and therewith," intending that this should be held in trust for the Methodist Episcopal church of
the State of Oregon, and used for an educational institution. These blocks were then far out in the wilderness, in a dense forest, covered with large firs. With his own hands, Father Wilbur part- lv cleared the ground and hewed out a portion of the timbers for the frame of the building, and assisted in its erection. He solicited some subscriptions, and ad- vanced and borrowed on his own credit, above $5,000, and the building was com- pleted, and on November 17, 1851, the institution . was opened with Rev. C. S. Kingsley as Principal, and his wife as assistant. The attendance at first was small, but the teachers were earnest and thorough and the school grew. One of the objections made to it was that it was too far away from the residence portion of the city, and parents were afraid their children would get lost going to and coming from school., Even as late as IS36, the boys, at noon one day, treed a bear cub near the school and with sticks and stones killed it. In the drawing for the skin, it fell to Mr. John Wright for many years, and now a resident and merchant in Grand Ronde Valley. John promptly traded the bear skin for a big sack of marbles, but, owing to the mysteries of the science called "keeps," taught by boys only, an equitable division soon took place of the marbles.
The second year Miss Celinda Hines, now Mrs. A. R. Shipley, of Corvallis, Oregon, was added as assistant teacher. In the year 1853 Miss Catherine Quivey, who afterwards married Judge Aaron E. Wait was added to the corps of teachers, and the following year Miss Boise also taught there.
In June 1854 the legislature incorpor- ated the institution with a board of trus- tees consisting of W. S. Ladd, Alexan- der Abernethy. Gustavus Hines, C. S. Kingsley, Wm. M. King, P. A. Marquam,
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PIONEER SEAT OF LEARNING.
Clinton Kelley, H. K. Hines, P. G. Buch- anan, E. C. Baker, J. O. Waterman, Thos H. Pearne, A. F. Waller, James H. Wilbur, T. J.Dryer and Dr. Perry Pretty- man. These men were worthy, strong and heroic. They have all but three passed over to the silent ma-
jority,
but
their
acts
and deeds
fill
a
large place
in
the his-
tory of this city and state. The first officers of the Board were President, J. H. Wilbur ; Vice-President, T. J. Dryer ; Secretary, C. S. Kingsley; Treasurer, W. S. Ladd.,,A course of study was adopted by the Board of Trustees and teachers, which shows that there was taught all the higher branches that are taught even to this day in academies.
The Reverend Mr. Kingsley taught until 1859, when he resigned, much to
REV. J. S. KINGSLEY.
the regret of the Board of Trustees and the students., One of the old students for many years, says of him and his assist- ants: "The teachers employed in the old school were of that sturdy, unwav- ering band of pioneer methodist mission- aries who aided so grandly and sucess- fully in pioneering Oregon from the savage wilderness to civilization and statehood. They were men and women of keen intelligence and schooled in the best education of the times. I remen-
ber Mr. Kingsley as a brilliant, classical scholar, a keen reasoner, and a great orator." Uuder him the school grew and prospered until it was recognized as one of the leading institutions of the territory, and a leading factor in edu- cation of the city of Portland.
The first graduate of the institution was sent out this year-1859-Miss Sa- mantha A. Cornell; she afterwards serv- ed as Preceptress and teacher in the in- stitution and was afterwards married to Reverend Doctor McAllister, and died some years ago. I have not been able to find a full list of the teachers who were with Mr. Kingsley, beyond those men- tioned.
Rev. C. H. Hall now Dr. Hall of Salem succeeded as principal in 1859 and con- tinued as such for three years. He was earnest and enthusiastic in the school and did good work as a teacher, and was much respected by the students. The Preceptresses during his term were Miss Mary B. Stroud, Miss Annie Pent- land and Miss Maria Foster. Miss Stroud was a Quakeress of sweet and sunny disposition, and much beloved by her pupils. She married a Mr. Wright and now resides in Indianapolis. Miss Foster was a highly educated New Eng- land lady, who taught for a short time only, and then maried Mr. George H. Flanders, one of Oregon's early pioneers, who some years ago died, and his widow now resides in the city of Portland, be- loved for her many good deeds and works of charity. Miss Pentland was graduated from the institution in 1861. She was a daughter of one of Oregon's pioneers. In 1862 she removed to The Dalles, where she married Mr. Samuel L. Brooks, and for a third of a century she has been known and beloved in that city, as interested in every work tending towards uplifting and bettering the con- dition of the citizens of The Dalles, Mrs. Hall, wife of the principal. also taught for a time, and Miss Louise Breyman was teacher of music and French. Miss Brevman married the pioneer printer, E. M. Waite, now deceased and now lives at Salem. In 1860 Miss Isabel J. Kerns was graduated; she mar-
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ried A. A. Wiliamson, a carpenter and builder of Portland, and with him moved to California. In 1861 Miss Anna Pentland, Miss Sarah L. Abrams and Mr. James W. Poe, were graduated and received their diplomas. Miss Abrams was afterwards married to Hon. H. A. Hogue, and has ever since resided in this city., When she was grad- uated from the old Portland Academy and Female Seminary Hon. W. S. Ladd was president of the Board of Trustees, and presented her with her diploma ; thirty-four years later Hon. Wm. M. Ladd, as president of the Board of Trus- tees, of the new Portland Academy, pre- sented her son, Chester J. Hogue, with his diploma, as he graduated from the new institution. How the old pass away and the young take their places. Hon. J. W. Poe, after his graduation, took up his residence in Lewiston, Idaho, where he has ever since resided. He is one of the leading lawyers of the Pan- Handle section of Idaho, has held many places of trust and responsibility, and is a man of affairs in that section.
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In 1862 Misses Fannie Holman, Helen M. Burton, Caltha Cotton, Leonora Blos- som, Rebecca J. Greer, and Mr. Samuel A. Moreland, were graduated. Miss Hol- man taught in Portland for many years, both as teacher and music teacher and now lives here as one of the city's most respected ladies. Miss Burton taught for a time in St. Helens Hall and died a good many years ago. Miss Cotton married Rev. J. G. Deardorf, and has been dead a number of years Miss Blos- som married J. J. Hoffman and is also clead. Miss Greer left here for Puget Sound after her graduation and I have lost sight of her since. Mr. S. A. Moreland continued to reside in the city of Portland and was a writer and a journalist for many years employed on the Oregonian and died in 1886.
In the fall of 1862 Rev. D. E. Blaine had charge as principal: Miss Cornell was Preceptress., No one graduated from the institution that year.
In 1863 Rev. O. S. Frambes and his wife Mrs. Frambes, took charge. Rev.
J. G. Deardorf was assistant teacher, Miss Mary Rogers, who afterwards mar- ried C. E. Illsley was music teacher and Miss Mary McGhee, now Mrs S. J. Day of Jacksonville was teacher in the primary department. I entered the academy as student under these teachers, and was with them for two years. The professor and his wife were able, enthu- siastic and faithful teachers, and left strong immpressions for good upon the students. After they left the academy they taught for a time in the public schools here and then at Willamette Uni- versity; afterwards they went back to California where he joined the confer- ence and is still I think preaching. He was a very able mathamatician and a splendid instructor. It always seemed to me that the criticism upon his teaching was he failed to govern himself and when he got mad how he did make the fur fly among the children. Mrs. Frambes stands out to my mind in all the years that have gone by as an ideal teacher and woman. To her I owe a debt of gratitude which I never can repay and doubtless many others feel the same : and if at the final day of judgement people receive reward for the good done in this world certainly Mrs. Frambes will have a bright place in the hereafter. During a portion of this two years Miss Virginia Stevens a siser of Mrs. Frambes taught. and Miss Mary F. Ladd, now Mrs. James Steel, was music teacher. Those two years spent in the old Academy, al- though years of hard work, were pleasant and happy ones. How the heart thrills and the blood flows as I look back upon those years.
There were about 250 students in the institution at that time. Most of them were there for study, but here and there was one who was only for play. There were others so bubbling over with fun that they made mischief simply because they could not help it. Prof. Frambes kept a raw hide in his desk and it cante out on very slight provocations, and it he failed to thrash some boy each day. it was generally made up next day, some times putting three in for interest. There were two boys in school who have since
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PIONEER SEAT OF LEARNING.
Maxime strong manly men, who received foggings frequently, and they often «wore that if they ever lived to become men they intended to thrash the old man. to get even with him. Meeting one of them not long since, I reminded him of hi- promise, and he said he had come to the conclusion that he probably did not get a lick amiss, and that life was too short to cherish animosities.
Every Friday afternoon the school gathered in the chapel for rhetoricol exer- cises, and how these occasions were en- joyed, especially when it was the other fellow's time to speak. One young man got up one afternoon to speak, and an- nounced that he had composed an orig- inal poem which he would deliver, and in a singsong way, but in a voice which could be heard a block away, he began : "In the slumbers of midnight, the sailor boy lay,
"His hammock swung loose at the sport of the wind."
Before he had gotten through with the first verse more than a (lozen of the students were repeating it
in unison with him, when the professor interfered saying the poem was decidedly too original, and declared the matter off.
We used to have frequent exhibitions in the chapel in which we soared the stars and stripes and proclaimed "the U'nion now and forever one and insepar- able." At one of these exhibitions the chapel was full and just as a very large young lady had commenced to read a paper on the final success of the war for the Union, one of the floor supports below gave away, letting the floor sink a few inches, and there was danger of a collapse. There was great excitment among the audience when the young lady imagining that the excitement was applause for her effort, but wanting to go on, waived her paper over her head frantically and call- ed out in a loud, but lisping voice "Si- lence, silence, till I read my composi- tion." The laughter which followed served to somewhat quiet the audience. and all escaped safely.
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