USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 27
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In 1883 the main building, now used as the conservatory of music, was erected, and Father Eells made a journey to the east to canvass for funds. He succeeded in raising sixteen thousand dollars. During the next year Mrs. N. F. Cobleigh, who gave several years of most effective service in charge of the girls' boarding hall, raised eight thousand dollars by canvassing in the east. During the
presidency of Dr. Anderson there was a con- siderable number of graduates, and the col- lege took a high stand among the institutions of the northwest. A number of the present leading men in the city of Walla Walla grad- uated during that period. But the resources of the college were then scanty and its work one of trial and hardship for the president and faculty. In 1891 Dr. Anderson resigned, having accomplished the most that had been done up to that time in the work of the insti- tution. Then J. F. Eaton was appointed presi- dent. The next three years were the severest and least satisfactory which had yet occurred in the history of Whitman. Owing to unfor- tunate policies and management the college lost greatly in efficiency and public esteem, and the support so fell off that in the summer
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oi 1894 it was seriously anticipated by many that it would never open again. It was saved by the devotion and efficiency of several of the trustees and faculty and by the election to the presidency in 1894 of Rev. S. B. L. Pen- rose. President Penrose entered at once with tremendous and never-flagging energy upon his great task of raising money and placing the college upon a solid foundation. Dr. D. K. Pearsons, of Chicago, whose philanthropy had already wrought wonders for several col- leges in the country, became interested in the heroic story of Whitman, and offered fifty thousand dollars as an endowment fund, in case one hundred and fifty thousand dollars were raised besides. Though that was in the very blackest part of the "hard times," the town of Walla Walla responded nobly, and the money was secured. Subsequently Dr. Pearsons made the offer of fifty thousand dol- lars for a main hall. in case there were twenty- five thousand dollars raised for a young men's dormitory. This also was mainly secured, Mrs. Billings, of New York, being the largest contributor. . As a result there arose upon the college campus in the eastern part of Walla Walla the stately Whitman memorial building, the most beautiful structure in this part of the state, and Billings hall, a comfortable, con- venient and commodious building, capable of accommodating seventy or seventy-five per- sons.
During these building years of 1899 and 1900 there was also a great growth in all other departments of the college. . \ great addi- tion was made to the physical and chemical appliances. The library was greatly increased. having reached on January 1. 1901. nearly ten thousand volumes. The number of stu- dents increased from about fifty in 1894 to about two hundred and sixty in 1900. The
faculty increased during the same period from eight to sixteen. Although the resources of the college are yet limited in comparison with its needs and the ambitions and hopes of its faculty and friends, yet they have increased so much beyond any former mark as to place Whitman in the front rank of educational in- stitutions in the state.
In connection with Whitman College it is fitting to narrate the steps taken to mark the grave of Whitman and his associate martyrs. As already noted, Father Eells decided that Whitman would have preferred a memorial school to a monument of marble. And for many years it looked as though Walla Walla and the state of Washington meant to take him at his word, and leave that grave with its sad, pathetic, tragic associations unmarked and un- noticed. For years the grave was the burrow- ing ground of badgers, and the dry west wind swept the dust of summer and the snow of winter around it, and cattle trampled it, while aside from a white picket fence, which was soon broken, there was no distinguishing mark of the heroic spot. But there were those in bothı Oregon and Washington, as well as else- where, who felt that the community's or the nation's self-respect required some due com- memoration of that grave. In 1897 the mat- ter was pushed in earnest by the college fac- ulty and by the Historical Society of Oregon, with the result that funds were pledged and a contract made to erect a worthy memorial on the neglected but hallowed ground. Accord- ingly, on November 29, 1897, the fiftieth an- niversary of the massacre, in the presence of a vast throng, the dedication services were duly performed. The monument consists of a beautiful, though plain and stately, granite shaft, erected on the hill overlooking the grave and all the surrounding country. The grave
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itself is marked by a marble crypt in which are enclosed such human remains as the exca- vation of the grave disclosed. And in con- nection with these remains it is of interest to remember that among them, being mainly dis- ordered and confused, there were several hu- man skulls, one of which was pronounced by anatomists that of a female, doubtless that of Mrs. Whitman, and another was deemed to be without question that of Dr. Whitman. It was of the right age, and contained a gold-filled tooth. It was said by Perrine Whitman, a nephew of the doctor, that the latter had such a filling, a rare thing in those days. The most curious thing about these two skulls was that they were both sawed transversely from the forehead backward. This was thought by some familiar with Indian customs to have been done by the savages in order to let the "brave" out of the principal martyrs, which they thought might enter into the warriors and augment their power.
So, though for long years the chief heroes and martyrs of Walla Walla seemed to be for- gotten, their recognition came. And though their physical substance was the prey to sav- ages and wild beasts and the waste of the ele- ments, their lives live again in the lives of the youth whom they permanently influence. Whitman College has become their monument, one, more lasting, it is to be hoped, than even the granite shaft or marble crypt of the grave.
In completing this brief sketch of Whit- man College it is proper to name here the present faculty : Rev. S. B. L. Penrose, presi- dent and professor of philosophy; W. D. Ly- man, professor of history and civics; Helen A. Pepoon, professor of Latin: L. F. Ander- son, professor of Greck; B. H. Brown, pro- fessor of physics and chemistry ; H. S. Brode, professor of natural history: O. A. Hauer-
bach, professor of English literature and ora- tory ; W. A. Bratton, professor of mathematics ; J. W. Cooper, professor of modern languages ; Louise R. Loomis, instructor in Greek and Latin; W. L. Worthington, instructor in Greek and Latin; S. H. Lovewell, musical di- rector ; Clarice Winship Colton, instructor in voice culture ; Edgar S. Fischer, instructor on the violin; Mrs. Crayne, matron of girls' dor- mitory; and Mrs. Jacobs, matron of the young men's dormitory. With this force and with the facilities and resources for work such as they are, the prospects of Whitman for the opening century are bright indeed.
SAINT PAUL'S SCHOOL.
The history of Saint Paul's School is crowded with struggles and brilliant with suc- cess. No educational institution of the north- west can show a similar record. Some thirty years ago Bishop Wells planned to erect a first- class boarding school for girls on a picturesque piece of land donated for that purpose. The mason began his work. Three thousand dol- lars worth of stone was laid into the founda- tion of the coming edifice. The citizens of Walla Walla had pledged another three thou- sand dollars to aid the enterprise. Success seemed inevitable. But Tacoma, at that time the leading city of the sound, offered large inducements if the Walla Walla project would be abandoned in favor of a girls' seminary in Tacoma. Money proved too great a tempta- tion and Walla Walla had to leave its cher- ished dream unrealized.
But the Garden city of the northwest was not altogether ready to lose one of its noblest features. Dr. Lathrop, then rector of St. Paul's church, was a man of faith. He would not give up. And while he failed to build the
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magnificent edifice, he used to greatest advan- tage the old buildings, which were soon crowd- ed with boarders from the surrounding coun- try. . At that time Mrs. Appleton made a do- nation of three thousand dollars to be used as a foundation for an endowment fund. The outlook grew brighter, but at the departure of Dr. Lathrop, who had been the soul of the enterprise, the doors of Saint Paul's had to be closed.
For almost two years the school remained inactive. People had lost heart. The uncer- tainty of affairs discouraged not only those who might consider the principalship, but parents would hesitate to send their daughters. If the diocese had sold the school property, none would have been surprised. But Miss Imogen Boyer, who was herself a graduate of the school, fully comprehended the high mission of a girls' seminary in this part of the coun- try and bravely took hold of the situation. Since that time Saint Paul's has gone steadily forward. Rev. Andreas Bard advocated the sale of the old buildings and the purchase of some excellent property on Catherine street. This motion was carried and followed by an- other which suggested the sale of the original school grounds and the erection of first-class buildings. The day school doubled the number of its attendants; a boarding department was added. To-day Saint Paul's is one of the finest educational institutions of the northwest. I is located on the most beautiful spot in the heart of the city, has all modern conveniences and offers to the young women of our state the highest advantages of culture. Among the members of its faculty are graduates of Smith College, Berkeley and Stanford Universities, and the most prominent citizens of Walla Walla constitute its board of trustees or give to their
daughters the advantages of its broad and lib- cral culture.
If Saint Paul's school could find a wealthy patron, such as Whitman College found in Dr. Pearsons, its work for good could be infinitely expanded. The past has been a history of struggle and success-a continuous record of self-help and self-sacrifice. What the future would be with an endowment fund behind the spirit of heroic enterprise, can only be imag- ined. But there is reason to think that finan- cial aid would place Saint Paul's School on a par with the old established institutions of the east. Walla Walla is to be congratulated on having in its midst such grand educational possibilities.
THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.
The Catholics of Walla Walla. through the zealous endeavors of their pastors and their own generous co-operation, have, for the last thirty-five years, been enabled to procure for their children the advantages of a Christian education. In 1864 was opened, where St. Mary's hospital now stands, by the Very Rev. J. B. A. Brouillet, a Catholic school for girls. This was conducted by the Sisters of Provi- dence. One year later St. Patrick's Academy for boys flung wide its portals. This educa- tional establishment stood near the present site of the Catholic church. The first teacher was Mr. H. L. Lamarche. This excellent precep- tor presided over the destinies of the academy for fifteen years. Among the other teachers were Mr. J. J. Donovan, Mr. A. M. Sommers, Miss Tina Johnson and Miss Eliza Sexton. Mr. J. J. Donovan organized a company of cadets among the pupils. Later a brass band was established in connection with the school.
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The positions of honor held by former stu- dents of the academy and the creditable manner in which they have acquitted themselves of their responsible duties are convincing evidence of the superiority of their moral and intellec- tual training.
A new building had to be erected to ac- commodate the ever increasing numbers that applied for admission to the academy. Assist- ed by the generous contributions of his par- ishioners, especially by the magnificent bequest of Miss Maria O'Rourke, the Very Rev. M. Flohr was enabled to erect the elegant school building that stands on Alder street near Sev- enth. Right Rev. E. J. O'Dea blessed the edi- fice in May, 1899. August 15, 1899, three brothers of the Christian schools arrived in Walla Walla from San Francisco to manage the new school, henceforth to be known as De La Salle Institute. It was so named in honor of St. J. B. De La Salle, founder of the congregation of which the brothers are members. De La Salle Institute opened Sep- tember 4, 1899, with one hundred pupils; the second year commenced with one hundred and thirty in attendance.
St. Vincent's Academy is the Catholic school for girls. This noble institution was founded in 1864 by the sisters of charity from Montreal. The little band which undertook the arduous task of opening an educational establishment in the newly established terri- tory was composed of Sisters Columbay, Paul Miki and Nativity, whose names are held in veneration by all who had the happiness of knowing them. Many and great were the difficulties to be overcome in the new and un- civilized country, in which resources are few and customs and manners strange. But the zealous laborers, aided by their devoted pas- tors, Vicar General Brouillet, Father Duffy,
Father Flohr and kind friends, struggled on. With years the work grew, and now many of the representative women of the northwest prove their gratitude to their alına mater by lives of highest Christian purpose ; they found that St. Vincent's had been for them an inspi- ration. .
The present building, erected in 1879-80, is pronounced by all who visit it to be one of the finest structures in the state. It is spacious, well ventilated, convenient, and furnished with all modern improvements. The extensive grounds surrounding the institution offer every inducement to the young ladies to engage in healthful exercise.
The plan of instruction is systematic and thorough, embracing all that could be desired for the highest culture. Besides the graduat- ing department, a special course meets the wants of the young ladies who, not wishing to go through the course of graduation, are anxious to obtain a good practical education.
Every facility is afforded for attaining pro- ficiency in vocal and instrumental music. Stenography and typewriting are specialties. Plain and fancy needle work are taught free of charge.
Two hundred and fifty day pupils and thirty-six boarders have been enrolled since September 1, 1900. Nine sisters are teaching.
Parents and guardians wishing to secure for young ladies the benefits of a solid and re- fined education, with maternal supervision over their health, morals and manners, will have no reason to regret their choice of St. Vincent's Academy.
WALLA WALLA COLLEGE.
This institution is the center of a flourish- ing community, the college itself owning one
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hundred acres of the town-site of College Place. It was founded in 1892, and has gained a reputable place among the educational insti- tutions of the west. It is the only college of its kind in the northwest ; and that it is rightly located, is demonstrated by its liberal patron- age. which has been enjoyed since its opening nine years ago.
It is owned and operated by the Seventh- Day Adventists, and though denominational in character, its doors are open to all young peo- ple of good moral character. On account of its high standard of morality, its Christian faculty, its atmosphere of culture and refine- ment, its full and complete curriculum, it is certainly a safe place for parents to send their children, as well as an institution where a lib- eral education can be received.
The building is a substantial brick struc- ture, four stories in height, of modern design and architecture. Two brick dormitories are connected with the main building where non- resident students reside. These buildings are surrounded by a beautiful campus, and the whole by orchards and gardens which appear on every side. Spring water of the best quality is supplied to the building and also for irriga- tion purposes in the college garden, consisting of several acres.
.As the managers aim to make the college a place where young people of limited means may get their education, they have spared no pains to reduce all necessary expenses to a minimum. In fact the industrious student, by a wise use of his vacation and the assistance of the college, is enabled to meet his own expenses. The man- agers have learned that the self-sustaining stu- cents are its best.
Walla Walla College is so located that it is the most conspicuous building in the Walla Walla valley, and in it a thriving city has
grown up with the college, known as College Place. It has two merchandise stores, which do considerable business with the farmers for several miles around. The college has become to be closely associated with the economic in- stitutions of the community in which it is lo- cated.
But Walla Walla College has a far more important influence. The world needs educated men and women, who are truly educated. True education is the power of doing. Every faculty of the being is to be educatel and trained for usefulness. One writer has truthfully de- fined education as the "harmonious develop- ment of all our powers, both physical, mental, and moral." Such an education will expand and define. Without it, the individual is more or less crippled. Correct education makes the essential difference in mental capacity, char- acter and destiny between the simple child of nature and the man of giant intellect.
Board of Managers-G. W. Reaser, H. W. Decker. T. H. Starbuck. Greenville Holbrook, T. L. Ragsdale. S. A. Miller and G. A. Nichols. Officers-President, G. W. Reaser; Secretary, T. H. Starbuck: Treasurer, G. A. Nichols. Faculty-E. L. Stewart, President : J. A. Hol- brook, Ministerial Department; Bible, I. A. Dunlap, M. D., Medical Missionary : Nursing, T. H. Starbuck, General Bible Language; Higher Mathematics. J. L. Kay, Preceptor, Mathematics, Language : Francis Ireland. Nor- mal Department. English Language; Luther J. Hughes, Science Department ; H. E. Hoyt, Commercial Department ; Mrs. Helen C. Con- rad, Preceptress, Bible and History; George W. Miller, Superintendent Music Department ; Mrs. Emma Nichols, Art and Preparatory De- partment ; Laura L. Fisk, Assistant Prepara- tory Department, Stenography; Mrs. Emma E. Cracker, Matron : George Nichols, business
EE
SANDERS. DIES
WALLA WALLA COLLEGE.
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manager ; Verah McPherson, Accountant ; Rose Ginther, Secretary; Church School Depart- ment, Mrs. J. L. Kay. There are two hundred students in attendance at the present time.
BUSINESS COLLEGE.
Walla Walla has had also for a number of years a flourishing business college. It was founded in 1887, by A. M. and J. L. Cation and J. R. Stubblefield. After conducting this with great success for four years, the projectors sold out in 1891 to Merwin Pugh. He con- ducted the school for another period of four years, and in 1895 J. W. Brewer became the owner and manager. In spite of the crippling effects of the hard times, the college was in the main well patronized through all those years.
WAITSBURG ACADEMY.
The founding of the Waitsburg Academy is a simple story, inseparably connected with the establishing of the United Presbyterian church of North America in eastern Washing- ton.
Early in the 'eighties there was an active movement among all the religious bodies of the castern states for the evangelization of Washington territory. Rumors of vast re- sources, and genial clime had made a deep im- pression on the popular mind. It was felt by all religious denominations that this vast, pros- pective state must be saved for Christ and the church-a work too heavy for the colonists alone, hence needing the support of friends everywhere, in order that necessary church and school buildings might be erected and pastors and teachers adequately supplied.
In response to the general call for mission- ary and educational work in the region, the
United Presbyterian church in the fall of 1884 sent out the Rev. Joseph Alter as general mis- sionary to eastern Washington. He was suc- cessful in organizing church work in different locations, one of which was Waitsburg. Here he established a congregation, now known as the United Presbyterian church, Waitsburg. To this congregation the Rev. W. G. M. Hays, now Dr. Hays of the United Presbyterian church at Pullman, Washington, was sent in the early spring of 1886, by appointment of the Home Mission Board of the church. During the first months of Dr. Hays in this field, the conviction was forced upon him, that Waits- burg needed a high grade Christian school of secondary instruction-not a college; but a school distinctively Christian in methods, aims, and discipline, and of such a grade as would afford suitable training for the ordinary walks in life, or fit students for advanced work in colleges.
Dr. Hays lent himself to this work. From a short historical article written by himself we copy the following :
"We counseled with friends ; some shook the hcad doubtfully, others of a more sanguine temperament said that they would like to see it tried, for they believed that such a school, properly managed, would succeed. We re- solved to put the matter to a practical test and laid our plans accordingly."
The plans were well laid, the Board of Edu- cation of the church, upon request. made an appropriation of six hundred dollars for the first year, and sent Professor J. G. Thompson, .A. B., to take charge of the work. The business men of the city guaranteed two hundred dollars to be paid in case of need. With this for a basis, and without any formal organization of either Board of Directors or Trustees, the Waitsburg Academy opened its doors to the
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public, September 14, 1886, the first year's ses- sion being held in the church building.
Success attended the effort. The presby- tery of Oregon adopted the infant, and later it was taken under the care of the synod of the Columbia of the United Presbyterian church of North America; and at length became a corporate body under the laws of the terri- tory of Washington. The incorporators were. the Revs. Hugh F. Wallace, W. G. Irvine, W. A. Spalding. W. G. M. Hays, J. H. Niblock, and Messrs. A. W. Philips, David Roberts, Edward F. Sox, T. J. Hollowell, and John E. Evans.
In May, 1887, a joint stock company was organized whose object is expressed in the fol- lowing preamble to its constitution :
"We, citizens of Waitsburg and vicinity, do hereby form ourselves into a joint stock company for the purpose of erecting an acad- emy building, assisting in the maintenance of the school for three years, beginning September 1. 1887 ; and effecting an organization with the United Presbyterian church of North America for the permanent establishment of said acad- emy."
This company raised nearly six thousand dollars, four thousand dollars of which was used in the erection of a frame building, and the remainder going for the support of the school, during the three following years.
Dr. Hays undertook to raise an endowment fund equivalent to the amount raised by the citizens for the erection of a building, and, as the result of a visit to the east, he succeeded in raising two thousand dollars. In the fall of 1889 the Rev. W. R. Stevenson at the in- stance of the presbytery of Oregon was sent east and succeeded in raising the endowment to four thousand dollars. In the spring of 1892, Miss Ina F. Robertson, then principal of
the academy, went east and raised the remain- ing one thousand dollars, together with six hun- dred dollars for the improvement of the build- ing. In 1894, Miss Robertson again went east and succeeded in raising the funds necessary for the erection of a new building. This build- ing is of brick, very commodious, and suitable for the work of the school. Its erection was completed before the end of 1896.
The work done by the academy is grouped under the following heads or courses: Acad- emic, normal, business, preparatory and music. Each of these courses is complete in itself and eminently practical. The time required for completing any of these courses varies from two to four years, depending upon the course, the previous schooling, and natural ability of the student. The academic is the highest course, and upon completion of this course the graduate receives a diploma.
The first class to graduate from the aca- demic department was the class of 1890, con- sisting of Misses Mary A. Dixon, Anna Flinn, Emma Mckinney, and Mr. Robert Jones. Since that time there have been graduated from this course, including the class of 1901. a total of thirty-two. This does not include graduates from the other departments. The graduates 'are found in all the principal walks of life- business, medicine, law, teaching, the army and the ministry-many of them having completed a course at some higher or more technical school.
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