Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1916-09-19

| ley, live miles from what is now
Rickreall. They then moved few
miles south to a beautiful green plain
bounded on the south by low foot
hills covered with great oak trees,
and the fir covered Coast range bor-
dered on the west, the Willamette
river rolled to the east and the Cas-
cade range with its ragged snow peaks
rose in the background, and the little
La Creole creek wound its way along
the north side to meet the Willamette.
In this beautiful little spot they took
up their "donation claims.' Log
houses were built and homes were
started.
In 1854 Rev. John E. Murphy, Eli
jah Davidson, J. B. Smith, T. H. Lu
cas-, and S. S. Whitman donated land
about six hundred and forty-on
which to found town, the proceeds
from the sale of town lots to be used
in establishing college to be placed
under the supervision of the local
Christian church and to be called
Monmouth university.
At mass meeting Of the people,
the town was named Monmouth in
honor of the town the company of de-
voted men had left to come to the
great west.
The first money for the school was
raised by donations. A small wooden
building was then built on what is
now called the "Public Square" FL
nally the Christian church of Oregon
took charge Of the school, At this
time forty life scholarships were is
sued, representing five hundred dol
lars each. This made an endowment
of $4,000. In 1858 a wooden build
ing was erected at the cost of five
thousand dollars.
This building was located on the
present State Normal grounds upon
which Mr.. A. w. Lucas had so care
FULLY planted fir and maple trees. AT
IN early annual meeting of the Chris
ian church the name was changed
rom Monmouth University to Chris
ian college.
A chapel service was held every
lay. The true christian life was al
Ways upheld as the only life to live.
'he education obtained by the schol-
RS here was a christian education.
he influence of the instructors and
hose in connection with the school
vas great and good.
Mr.. A. D. Butler was the head Of ,
he Christian college during 1868 and
S69. :
In 1869 Professor 7. F. Campbell,
descendant of Alexander Campbell, 1,
anne from Montana to become the f
resident of the school. Mrs. Jane 8
liza Campbell was second cousin
{ Alexander Campbell and married +
'. F. Campbell, a Bethany student 9
rom Mississippi in 1851. He was no v
elation of A. C. On the account f
the inadequacy of the wooden t
he secured donations from f
lie people over the state, and at the +
,st of $4,000, erected a brick build p
lg, which still stands as the north C
ing of the present State Normal Ii
lilding. The wooden building was O
len moved back and used for a gym C
lsium. n
In 1876 the Christian college lost II
le of its strongest supporters, Rev. cl
,hn Murphy. He had been the vice
'esident and financial secretary from fl
c founding Of the school. Almost IL
cry Saturday he would mount his ft
ddle pony and ride for miles to di
arrisburg, Coburg, Pleasant Hill, or H
me other distant town to preach to W
e people. dc
Professor D. T. Stanley led the
lool during the period of 1882 to tn
90. 1t was during this time lin co
82) that the name was changed to ar
, Oregon State Normal school and lie.
; school and grounds were given pr
,e of debt over to the state for a bu
rmal school. The gift was accept pa
by the legislature in 1890. We
Prince L. Campbell, son of Profes. ey
7. F. Campbell, became the presi de
1T of the Oregon State Normal
ool This office he held from 1890