Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-09-27
THE WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY
Its Title AbosoluIe TO All the Prop
eriy Owned Here--Propcsition
10 be Made.

The JOURNAL has taken pains TO
thoroughly Investigate the title of
the Willamette university to Its
property here, in view Of the claim
made that this property was dona-
ton from Mr.. Wilson. original
owner Of the land upon which salem
stands, aud that a removal Of the
University from Salem would work
u forfeiture OF title. The JOURNAL
has been sctustei by desire TO
give the exact facts, that the people
may know Just how the matter
stands and not build false hopes or
opinions upon false premises. II
has sought its information from the
most reliable sources and presents
the result
q the first place, the deed made
by Wilson and wife, published in
the Statesman Friday, WAS not do
uation deed. but was in settlement
OF q Just claim which the suthOri-
ties OF the Methodist organization
q. that time beid against Mr.. Will
son. involving the whole townsite
of Salem. 4 full elucidation OF
this would b. Useless now. but any
person desiring the history can get
il from DR.. Srat;on, John Hugbe>,
Rev. J. l.. Parrish, Prof. Starr or
any Of tho-e connected Intimately
with the church or University.
In April 1876, some controversy
having arisen over the validity Of
the University title, the matter
was thoroughly Investigated by
some Of the uhiest lawyers of the
state, and to make the institution
loudly secure, quit claim deeds were
,btained from all the Wilson heirs.
which recited that they were made
for the purpose Of curing all sup
posed defects and ailayIng all doubts
Of al absolute title in the trustees OF
the Willamette university.
OF thos4 one i a deed from W. T.
Wythe and Laura =. Wythe to Mrs.
Frances A. Gill and Mrs. Kate l..
Dillingham; to two-thirds interest
in the proper. Y described same as
the published deed. This instru-
ment is dated April y, 1876, and
recorded in book y of Marion coun.
~ deed records, pages and .; an
other Is deed from J. X aud
Frances 4. Gill and w. G.. and Kate
L. Dillingham; to the Willamette
university for the same two-thirds in.
terest, this being dated at the SAINT
time and recorded III book y Oh
pages and 3. The third is q deed
from W. +. Wythe and Laura B., hi.
wife, to Willamette university for d
one-third interest in the same prop
erty, dated at the same time and re-
corded in the same book as the
others. These complete the chain
and leave no question of the title.
Z Now, let the silly idea be dissolved
that the University must stay in
order to save its property, and lei
the practical idea take its place that
Salem will meet its requirements
when the time for action comes.
Several Of the trustees inform the
JOURNAL that 10 members OF that
body except those residing in Port
land desire the removal of the insfi.
tuition from here: but the general
desire is to place it upon sOlid
financial basis that il may keep pace
with the times az a first class insti-
tuition OF learning. This Portland
men say they will do if it ip moved
there and of course the authorities
Of the University cannot refuse to
take such offers into consideration.
II is claimed that but a small part of
its donations in the past have come
from Salem people, and that il really
is there duty TO now show liberal
spirit tor mutual benefit.
1t is very likely that III the near
future printed proposition will be
issued, setting forth the facts as they
exist, the requirements for the fu
tire, and that a candid, careful ex-
discussion aud consider
alton by all parties interested will be
invited. This will be the better way,
aud in the meantime this explain
alton will enable people to look the
cold facts in the face.