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-_._- - , I STATE LIBRARY I -IF( OREGON L. i �'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1111111111111111111111111111, 3 4243 00026551 8 1.40.::1 1 I JUL 11 .\� � :;:: STAT� �IBRARY HISTORIC CAPITOLS . OF OREGON

'� .. " an illustrated chronology , ; ..

"

researched and written by William Allen Bentson

with an introduction by Mark O. Hatfield

a publication of the OREGON LIBRARY FOUNDATION Salem, Oregon 97310-0642

,{iF,: L. i , 40 c:l. : :.:: .:" :�:. B<.:- n t�, 0 n, lrJ i i 1 :l am (=l '/ 1 <:" r, " Histo�ic capitols of 0�e8on .:: . • � ::�: :��: , L - j - i!-Ck 1. IF' (, 1"1 " t" \ 1- 1 -\ :_I - ;:_- :t IT 1 (1 1 -\ h:'-- n t �_ (, n , ______- _ _ _,: - -\ c (, {- 1.1 r- (.' 9 '-' II � l t- u � - listorlC C�

HISTORIC CAPITOLS OF OREGON . an illustrated chronology

researched and written by William Allen Bentson

with an introduction by Senator Mark o. Hatfield

a publication of the OREGON LIBRARY FOUNDATION Salem, Oregon 97310-0642 -

Published by theOregon Library Foundation OregonState Library Building Salem, Oregon 97310·0642

State Library Board of Trustees Foundation Board of Directors

Don Oakes, Chair Molly Kohnstamm. , Oregon President Larry Dalrymple, Vice-Chair , Oregon Boardman, Oregon PeggyOliver KarenLytle Bla ha Vice President Oswego, Oregon Lake Oswego, Oregon AudreyLane Carey Nina Cleveland LaGrande, Oregon Secretary-Treasurer NellieRipper Salem, Oregon North Bend, Oregon John Snider Wayne Robertson Medford, Oregon Hubbard, Oregon Jack Walsdorf Gail Schultz Portland, Oregon Portland, Oregon

Author: William Allen Bentson, Major, A.U.S. Ret. Title: Historic Capitols of Oregon: An Illustrated Chronology ISBN:

Oregon History Consultant: Cecil Edwards, Historian

Editor: Addie Dyal, Local History Specialist

Original photography and photo copies: Alfred Jones, Salem, Oregon

Original 1855 drawing: Murray Wade

The third publication in the series Occasional Papers of the Oregon State Library. ISSN: 0892-3035

Series Editor: Wesley A. Doak, Oregon State Librarian Series Associate Editor: Jo Ann Sipple

© 1987 Oregon Library Foundation

ERRATA Photo credits should include:

Original artwork by Trevor F. Barrell: upper drawirlg on p. 7 & drawing on p. 8

Date of Oregon's statehood (p. 10). should read:

February 14. 1859 ----�-�-

Preface

The purpose of this narrative is to tell the origin of government in the and name the locations of early meetings held by settlers petitioning the occupation by the . Continuing on from these earlier meetings down to the present day, I have briefly described locations of assemblies held by the Provisional Government, Territorial Government, and the State Government.

I was prompted to write this narrative due to both of my maternal grandparents and great-grandparents being 1847 and 1849 settlers in the Oregon Country. My great-grandfather, Samuel Allen, was one of the original building commissioners when the Capitol building was being constructed in 1872.

Experiences from my childhood in Salem furthered my interest in historical events. My first residence in Salem was so close to the Capitol building, destroyed in fire in 1935, that the winter's sun cast a shadow of the ,dome over my house. I spent many hours exploring every nook and corner of the building and was fascinated by the historical contents therein. I arrived early on the scene of the Capitol fire, in the early evening of April 25, 1935, and to this day I have a vivid memory of the tragedy.

William Allen Bentson

ii ------

Introduction

As a boy growing up in Salem, I shared with the author the experience of watching our state capitol burn to the ground. With a mixture of sorrow and curiosity, I wondered what that event meant for Oregon. How would the state conduct its business? Would the seat of government be moved away from Salem to Portland, or maybe Oregon City? Later, during my school years, my interest and knowledge regarding the state seat of government was broadened by serving as a guide in the new capitol. It was on those Sunday afternoons, while showing visitors through the building, that my appetite for Oregon history was whetted and challenged.

In this book, William Bentson has hit upon a basic tenent of historical perspective - buildings are but the symbols of history. By chronicling the succession of capitol buildings and sites, he has opened the door for the reader to delve more deeply into the in all its fascinating aspects.

It has been a concern for me that the history of our country has been predominately national in focus. Because the state governments of the east were, in effect, national entities at one time, they have been historically chronicled in great detail. The heritage of the states is less well known if only because they were formed under the control of a strong and growing union. In addition, the relative youth of the states tends to make the study of the older, more established eastern states more predominant. It is my belief, however, that the events leading up to and following Oregon statehood are every bit as vital to an Oregonian's frame of reference as the Purchase, Plymouth Rock, and the Tea Party.

I am proud to recommend this book as a valuable resource that will undoubtedly focus new interest on our state and regional history.

Mark O. Hatfield United States Senator

iii TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Credits Page 1

Preface Page 11

Introduction Page 111

Table of Contents Page IV

Text of Work Page 1

Author's Bibliography Page 20

Index Page 22

Notes About the Author Page 24

IV HISTORIC CAPITOLS OF OREGON

In order to portray the different removals of Oregon's seat of government, together with mention of the various buildings occupied as a legislative hall, a resume' of history must be given, embracing much concerning early endeavors to effect a stable commencement.

The first step taken to secure a government in Oregon by Americans was made March 16, 1838.1 Thirty-six settlers met in the Methodist Mission on and signed a petition to be sent to Congress, setting forth the resources and conditions of the Oregon Country and petitioning occupation by the United States. On March 26, 1838, the Rev. set out for , carrying with him the petition. The petition was presented in the Senate on January 28, 1839, by Senator Lewis F. Linn of and after its reading was tabled and neglected.

In June 1840, another petition proposed by Thomas J. Farnham and drafted by the Rev. David Leslie, bearing seventy signatures, was delivered to Congress by Farnham, a part of it being worded: "Your petitioners wherefore pray the Congress of the United States of America to establish, as soon as may be, a territorial government in ."2 Knowing that many months would elapse before the matter could be settled, the pioneers addressed themselves to the task of providing such government as they believed circumstances required for peace and security in the meantime.

A meeting was called on 7, 1841 at Champoeg,3 for the purpose of consulting upon steps necessary for the foundation of laws and the election of officers to execute them.4

1Lang, H. O. , HlSTORYOF TH EWILIAMETfE VAILEY, 1885, p. 240. 2Last line of the petition. 3Champoeg is located on the east bank of the in the northern tip of Marion County. 4"Oregon Native Son," May 1901, p. 431. 1 Jason Lee's "First Oregon Mission," at edge of French Prairie in the Willamette Valley (Ore. Historical Society).

The next meeting was held at the Rev. Jason Lee's Methodist Mission, a few miles north of the present site of Salem (then known as Chemeketa)5 on February 17 and 18, 1841, at which time nearly all of the settlers were on hand. Officers were elected, committees appointed, and an adjournment taken until the first Tuesday in June. Before the adjournment a Supreme Judge had to be elected with probate powers. Dr. Ira L. Babcock was elected and on April 15, 1841, authorized Rev. David Leslie to administer the estate of the late , a prominent settler who possessed considerable property, and had no known heirs. The June meeting did not take place, there being no need for further meeting as there were no problems to be settled.

During June 1841, , U. S. Navy, commanding an exploring expedition, visited the Willamette Valley. In his Narrative of his visit he writes, "These people were quite alive on the subject of laws, courts, and magistrates, including governors, judges, etc. I was here informed that a committee had been appointed to wait upon me on my arrival at the , to hold a consultation relative to the establishment of settled governments. "6

However, there were at the time two factions concerned with the formation of government. Francis N. Blanchet of the Catholic Mission, located at the site of the present town of St. Paul, objected to this move and advised his people to refuse to cooperate. In his opinion there were not enough settlers in the Willamette Valley to warrant the establishment of a constitution, and to his knowledge no crime had yet been committed. The Methodist Mission and its followers, though in the minority, were desirous of establishing a government.

5 0REGON BLUE BOOK, 1951-52, p. 190. 6 Wilkes. Charles, U.S. N .• NARRATIVE OF THE UNITED STATES EXPLORING EXPEDmON DURINGTHE YEARS 1838. 1839, 1840. 1841, 1842, Vo1. IV, p. 348.

2 On June 7, 1841, Captain Wilkes arrived at the Methodist Mission and met with a committee of five, principally lay members, who asked his advice relative to the establishment of law, etc. From his observation and the information he obtained, he was satisfied that laws were not needed. He advised them to wait until the government of the United States took the necessary action. After this consultation the committee determined a postponement of intentions.

Not until February 2, 1843 was another meeting called, to discuss the growing destruction of due to , bears and panthers. Here was an object of sufficient interest to all to bring united action, and collect a large number of the settlers. Accordingly a notice was given that invited all interested in adopting some united action to get rid of the wild beasts that were destroying their domestic animals--the first move toward a provisional government.

This meeting was held in the home of William H. Gray, at the Methodists' Oregon Mission,? which had by now been relocated and was in the present Salem, Oregon. At this session, known as the first " Meeting,"8 a committee was again appointed. It was composed of twelve men who were delegated to take means for civil and military protection of this colony.

The second "Wolf Meeting" was held at the home of , on French Prairie on May 2, 1843, at which the settlers agreed to a voluntary tax to provide a bounty on predators and then approved a resolution for their committee to take other measures for the protection of the colony of settlers. That step led to the calling of a general meeting of settlers to be held at Champoeg on May 2.

On May 2, 1843, this committee of twelve, appointed to organize a settlers' government, met with settlers in an open field at Champoeg.9 A vote was taken with a slender majority favoring organization of a provisional government (actual record of the vote is not known). Unlike previous meetings, it chose and gave authority to three acting public officers, David Hill, and , and elected a legislative committee of nine members. This was the first legislative body elected in Oregon, and was instructed to draw up the first code of laws (constitution) for the Oregon Country. A further public meeting was set for July 5, 1843, to decide upon acceptance or rejection of the code of laws.

The legislative committee held sessions between May 16 and 19, and again on June 27 through 28, 1843, at Lee's Mission in Oregon City. Thornton 10 said the mission building consisted of posts set in the ground,

7Cogswell, Philip Jr., CAPITAL NA MES, p. 44. 8Ibid, p. 55. 9Fuller, George W. A HISTORY OF THE , 2nd ed., p. 198. lOJ. Quinn Thornton, Judge of the Provisional Supreme Court. 3 grooved on two sides, so that the poles (or split timbers) were framed on top of the posts, and thus the building was walled in. The roof was cedar bark laid on horizontal poles, as shakes are laid. It was 20 feet by 40 feet in , and a platform of puncheons at one end served as a rostrum for the speaker; the probability is that the remainder was not floored. Around the room were slabs, bark side down, laid on a framework of piling, which served as seats for the people.11 This legislative hall, also the first on the Pacific Coast, and a granary of the Methodist Mission at , was supplied without charge by the missionary authorities. One end had served as church and school, the remaining space being used as a warehouse for grain.12

In the meantime, another general meeting of the "citizens of the Willamette" was held at Champoeg, June 23, 1843, preparatory to the vote on July 5.

On July 5, 1843 the committee met with the settlers and presented its respective proposals; adoption of the Organic Laws (constitution) followed. The officers elected at the May 2 meeting were thereafter sworn in and the Provisional Government was ready to operate under the first written .

The session of 1844 was held at the Oregon City home of Felix Hathaway, beginning on June 18 and lasting for nine days.13

The first session of 1845 was held at the Oregon City home of Theophilus Magruder, beginning on June 24. To this body was presented the first message submitted to a legislative body on the Pacific Coast. Among the recommendations was that the Organic Laws be amended by abolishing the executive committee and establishing the office of and replacing the legislative committee with a house of representatives. This was done, and the action ratified by the people.

At the second session, in August 1845, an act was adopted which incorporated a circulating library in Oregon City.

George Abernethy became the first and last provisional governor, 14 and the first regular session of the provisional government's , according to this method of reckoning, convened on 2, 1845, and adjourned on the 19th, making it the third legislative session held during that year.15

11 Clarke, S.A., PIONEER DAYS OF OREGON, Vol. II, p. 675. 12Carey, Charles H., A GENERAL HIST ORY OF OREGON, Vol. I, p. 333. 13Lang, p. 283. 14rumbull, George S., GOVERNORS OF OREGON, p. 13. 15Clarke, Vol. II, p. 684. 4 The session of 1846 was held at the home of H. M. Knighton, convening on December 1. At this session "an act to regulate the manufacture and sale of distilled liquors" was passed; on the 7th this act was vetoed by the governor, but the legislature passed the act over his veto. This was the first veto known to Oregon, or west of the Rockies.16

The legislature of 1847 again convened at the Oregon City home of H. M. Knighton, organized and remained in session there one day and then adjourned for the remainder of the session to the Methodist Church, which had just been completed on the southeast corner of 7th and Main Streets. This building was the first erected deserving the name of a church in the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon City in 1845, when the city at the falls was the Capital (Territorial Centennial Committee) .

The legislature of 1848 met at the Oregon City residence of G. W. Rice, on December 5, but it was found that there was not a present. The discovery of gold in in 1848 caused great excitement, and nearly all of Oregon's male population had left for the gold fields. A few days' delay brought in a sufficient number to organize. During this session an attempt was made to remove the capital to Salem, but the scheme failed.

By this time news had been received that the Oregon Bill, which had long been in Congress, finally had passed on August 13, 1848. The first governor of the Oregon Territory, General , was appointed by President James K. Polk. After arriving in Oregon, General Lane issued a

16Fuller, p. 203.

5 ------1

proclamation at Oregon City, on March 3, 1849, bringing the territorial government into being.17

The first Territorial Legislature met July 16, 1849, at Oregon City, in a building on the southeast corner of 6th and Main Streets. The building was completed in February 1849, by John L. Morrison, who had intended it for renting. It was wrecked in 1910, after having served as a hotel, bakery, and brewery for Gambrinus Company Cold Storage and as Clackamas County Courthouse in 1868.

The Morrison Building, Oregon City, meeting place of the first Territorial Legislature on July 16, 1849.

The session of 1850-51 is said to have been at Linn City, a town across the river opposite Oregon City that was washed away by the flood of 1861. The meeting place was in a building subsequently used as a hotel by J. B. Price. During this session the territorial passed "an act to provide for the selection of places for the location and erection of public buildings of the territory of Oregon." This bill was called the "omnibus bill" because of its many sections, embracing several purposes relative to the location of the buildings. Salem was to be the capital, Portland to have the penitentiary and Marysville (now Corvallis) was to have the territorial university.

17Fuller. p. 204. 6

L JJ This act was passed February 1, 1851, and in 1852 the executive offices were removed from Oregon City to Salem.

--.,... "'-. · . ..;

Meeting place of 1850-51 session in Linn City .

The session of 1851-52 was held at the old , now , the two large front rooms of the Institute's building being surrendered for that purpose.

The old Oregon Institute, now Willamette University .

Mter 1852 all sessions of the house of representatives convened in the lower story of the N esmith-Wilson Building, on the southwest corner of 7 Commercial and Ferry Streets. This was the later home of the Oregon Statesman. The council met in the Rector Building during this period.18

,

. ih- .!m - 1r",.: � � ----:::--

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Salem's first Capitol Building, September 1854 (Murray Wade).

President signed a measure May 4, 1852 officially making Salem the Capital of the Oregon Territory.

The first appropriation for the erection of a public building came from the during the 1853-54 session of the legislature.19 Steps were taken to build a statehouse as quickly as possible; the work began in 1854.

On January 3, 1854, the commissioners appointed to superintend the erection of the Capitol Building at the seat of government reported the following: To the Honorable Council and House of Represen­ tatives of the Territorial Assembly, we report that we held our first meeting in the town of Salem on the 25th day of February 1853. We have endea­ vored to consult the present best interest of the people of this territory and the future wants of the more populous State and an increased Legislative Assembly in erecting the State House of Oregon. 20

18"Oregon Native Son," p. 455. 19Ibid, p. 446. 20Lang, p. 298.

8 Before the building was completed, the appropriation was exhausted and the work stopped, but it had gone far enough to permit meetings at the next legislative session. Additional money was received, and William H. Rector received a contract for finishing the structure at the cost of $14,940, the work to be finished in September 1854.

On December 3, 1854, the legislature of the territory commenced its sixth annual session in the new building, on the site of the present capitol. The house of representatives was on the ground floor, and the council chamber directly over it. A novel arrangement of those days was the manner in which every member was furnished with a writing desk and a complete set of writing materials directly in front of his seat.

A bill passed on January 13, 1855, removing the seat of the Territorial Government from Salem to Corvallis.21 Between December 3 and 18, 1855, Corvallis had a taste of being the state capital with the legislature meeting there, but the executive officers refused to move from the unfinished capitol in Salem. The legislature met in the Avery Building at Corvallis just long enough to decide to move back to Salem, where it again took up quarters in the new capitol.22

The Avery Building in Corvallis .

21Lang, p. 345. 22 "Oregon Native Son," p. 449.

9 All the sumptuousness and convenience of the new capitol passed away in a two-day fire that destroyed this structure. At 1 :30 a.m. on Sunday morning, December 30, 1855, a fire broke out in the northeast corner of the building, and was thought to be the work of an incendiary.2 3 attributed it to carelessness of the party in power and allegedly caused by incendiaries in the heated fight between Corvallis and Salem for the capitol site. Arson was never proved.

The legislature then returned to settings in the Nesmith Building, until the end of the 1855 session.

The Nesmith Building as it appeared in July 1894.

In December 1856, the first assembly of this session was convened in a two-story building, located near the steamboat landing on Front Street. At this assembly, arrangements were made for renting and immediately moving into permanent rooms in the Nesmith Building.

The last assembly in the Nesmith Building was a special session, from May to June 1859. Governor John Whitaker summoned the legislators after news arrived that Oregon had received its statehood on February 12, 1859. In addition to other business of this special session, the legislature formally approved the Act for Admission of Oregon into the Union of the United States.

23 0REGON'S SH IFTY CAPIT OL by Gladys Turley. Oregonian Magazine Sect .• June 17. 1956. p. 8. 1 0 ------�------�----

Mural in State Capitol depicting the celebration of Oregon's statehood.

The Holman Building, on the northwest corner of Commercial and Ferry Streets, housed the legislature from 1859 to 1876. This building was being built by Joseph Holman, apparently as a hotel, but because of the offices and large assembly rooms, he changed his plans after the territorial capitol burned, and completed the building so it could be used to house the legislature, the supreme court and the offices of a number of state officials.24

The Oregon Constitution had been framed by a convention of 60 delegates chosen by the people at election on the first Monday of June, 1857. The constitution was ratified by a majority vote of the electors of the territory on the second Monday of November, 1857. The following is from the constitution:

No tax shall be levied, or money of the State ex­ pended, or debt contracted for the erection of a State House prior to the year eighteen hundred and sixty-five. 25

24 SALEM GUIDE. 1959. p. 14. 25 CONSTlTUTION OF OREGON. Sec. 2. Article XIV.

1 1 The capital's location was assured to Salem in 1864 when this city, then a tiny , received a majority of the votes cast on the question of the location of the seat of government and was declared "the permanent seat of government. "26

One of the most important acts of the legislature of 1872 provided for the construction of a permanent and durable statehouse. In September 1872, the legislature authorized construction of the new building with an appropriation of $100,000.27

The capitol building was to be constructed on the site of the original capitol on ground donated to the state by Dr. W. H. Willson for the purpose of the erection of public buildings.

Artist's conception of new Capitol Building.

Lafayette F. Grover was the governor when the new capitol building was authorized and he appointed General John H. Miller, Henry Klippel and Samuel Allen as building commissioners. The first report of the commissioners contained the original design, estimated cost, and progress report for the first two years of construction of the capitol building and covered the years 1872 through 1874.28

The architects for the new capitol building were J. Krumbein and W. G. Gilbert. The building was designed in the form of a cross. The main structure was 264 feet long and 75 feet wide, with north and south wings 80 by 100 feet and the east and west wings 40 by 60 feet. The structure in the main was to be brick; sandstone and limestone to be used in the facing and trimmings.

26Ibid. Sec. I, Article XIV. 27SALEMDlRECfO RYof 1874. 2&rhe report was signed by Henry Klippel, Samuel Allen and E. L. Bristow, who had replaced General John H. Miller on the committee.

1 2 Excavation for the building was started shortly after the plans were adopted on May 1, 1873, and convicts were used in making the great hole for the basement. Over 21,000 cubic yards of earth were removed by hand. The penitentiary yard also furnished the brick used in construction while Douglas County quarries supplied the sandstone and limestone that dressed the structure.

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�,(H'£. ll h ,4' 71,.. 11) ,0'1 m it 1\. T ( ("\ ......

Cornerstone of the State Capitol Building,

In 1873 cornerstone laying ceremonies were attended with all the dignity and pomp of the times, with the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in charge and over 400 Masons from various parts of the state participating.

1 3 In the cornerstone of the capitol building were placed numerous articles, 83 in all. The first of these was a parchment bearing facts relative to the ceremonies, names of the building commissioners, architects, and Superintendent Joseph Holman. Next, S. F. Chadwick dropped in the Constitution and Laws of the State of Oregon. A list of officers of the state organization from , 1859, to September 1874, was the third deposit, made by H. H. Gilfry.

Among the other articles placed in the cornerstone was a chrome of George Washington as a Mason, a silver half crown and United States silver half dollar, Confederate cotton bond, the 1872-73 catalogue of Willamette University, Salem City Directory for 1871, and the proceedings of the grand lodge of A. F. & A. M. of the State of Oregon for 1873.29

In 1874 the capitol commission was changed with H. Stapleton, C. F. Colby and J. M. Scott serving as members. Possession of the building was taken in August 1876 by state officers, and at the time the cost to the treasury was $190,927.

State Capitol, 1876.

Porticoes were put ori the building in 1888, with two-story Corinthian columns, at a cost of $100,000. The huge dome, which overlooked the country for miles around, was not put on the structure until 1893 and, until the elements had done their work, was a glistening object of copper facing. The dome was 187 feet in height set on a structure 75 feet high.

29Oregon Statesman. April 26. 1935. "Contents of the Cornerstone."

14 State Capitol with addition of porticoes, 1888 .

This historic building, while subjected to numerous remodelings and changes, failed to keep pace with the growth of the state. Until 1914 the capitol building housed all the branches of state government. After that year, a number of new buildings were added to the capitol group.

' \ t , >'

Artist's rendition of State Capitol with dome, 1893. 15 Crowd gathers to watch as fire destroys the Capitol Building on April 25, 1935.

At 6:30 p. m. on April 25, 1935, this historic capitol began to burn and eventually crumbled in chaos. Fire roared swiftly from the basement to the dome, which burned to a skeleton of steelwork and rolled over toward the northeast and settled inside the walls. The dome, which was the most striking feature of the structure, ironically was the last part of the building to be completed and the first to fall in the fire. By morning only the blackened and empty walls that pointed skyward were left. Said a writer in a Salem newspaper:

The old capitol was like a comfortable home that welcomed you to come under its portals and bide your time. There was a mellowness like that of old friends, old books, old in our capitol of yester­ day. May some of the spirit be transmuted into the

new one, but we doubt if such may come to pass. 30

30 Capitol Journal. April 26. 1935. Donald Upjohn in "Sips for Supper."

16 Marion Hotel, shown here in 1880 when it was known as the Chemeketa Hotel.

After the fire, departmental offices that had been housed in the capitol building were set up in various buildings around the city. In October 1935, the House met in the Salem Armory and the Senate in the Marion Hotel.

On the site of the destroyed capitol, like the legendary Egyptian bird Phoenix, consumed in the fiJ:e by its own act, has risen a new capitol building in youthful freshness from the ashes of the old. This modern edifice is dedicated to the very settlers who, in pioneer days contributed so much to the development of the Oregon Country. This new and present capitol building was dedicated on October 11,1938.

17 Marble statues at the Capitol Building entrance.

1 8 The marble statues in front of the capitol entrance depict Sacajawea, Lewis and Clark, and a pioneer family who endured the hardships of the Oregon and signify the pioneer spirit. There are 158 "Capitol Names" inscribed on the friezes of the House and Senate chambers. The pioneers named thereon had a lasting influence on Oregon. The murals in the House and Senate chambers must be seen to appreciate the spirit of the pioneers in their quest for a democratic government.

Everlasting and most visible is the 24 foot figure of the Oregon or golden pioneer atop the capitol. He represents those hardy pioneers who cut a trail through the wilderness to the Oregon Country. As did the pioneers, he is looking westward today, over the unfallowed land, river and wooded hills, populated by their descendants. It is these last few words from the Oregon State Song, that bring out the pioneer spirit and stir us on today, ...... "Hail to thee, Land of Promise, My Oregon. "

Statue of pioneer about to be raised to the top of the Capitol.

19 ------

AUTIlOR'S BmLIOGRAPHY

Carey, Charles H., A GENERAL HISTORY OF OREGON. Chicago: 1935.

Clark, Robert Carlton, HISTORY OF THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY OREGON. Chicago: Clarke, 1927.

Clarke, S. A., PIONEER DAYS OF OREGON HISTORY. 2 vols. : Burr Printing House, 1905.

Cogswell, Philip Jr., CAPITAL NAMES, p. 44.

"Constitution of Oregon," OREGON BLUE BOOK, 1971-72.

"Fire Destroys Capitol, " Oregon Statesman, April 26, 1935.

Fuller, George, A HISTORY OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, 2nd ed. New York: Knopf, 1958.

Gaston, Joseph, THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON 1811-1912, 4 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1912, pg. 426-429.

Hines, H. K., AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OREGON. New York: Lewis, 1893.

HOUSE EXECUTIVE DOCUMENT 94 , U.S. 32nd Congress, 1st Session. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1852.

Klippel, Henry, Samuel Allen and E. L. Bristow, REPORT OF THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING COMMISSIONERS OF THE STATE OF OREGON TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. Salem: Eugene Sempler, State Printer, 1874.

Krumbein, J. and W. G. Gilbert, ARCHITECTS REPORT TO THE BUILDING COMMISSION, 1874.

Lang, H.O., ed., HISTORY OF THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY. Portland: Himes and Lang, 1885.

McArthur, Lewis A., , 3rd ed. Portland: Binfords and Mort, 1952.

Parrish, Phillip H., HISTORIC OREGON, rev ed., 2nd printing. New York: Macmillan, 1950.

20 SALEM GUIDE. Salem: Statesman Publishing Company, 1959.

"State Capitol Total Fire Loss," Capital Journal, April 26, 1935.

"The Capitol of Oregon," Oregon Native Son, March 1901, pp. 429-461. Portland: Native Son Publishing Company, 1901.

"The History of the First Oregon State House," Ladd & Bush Annual. Salem: n.p., 1931.

Turley, Gladys, "Oregon's Shifty Capital" in Oregonian, Magazine Sect., June 17, 1956, p. 8.

Turnbull, George S., GOVERNORS OF OREGON. Portland: Binfords and Mort, 1959.

Wilkes, Charles, U.S.N. NARRATIVE OF THE UNITED STATES EXPLORING EXPEDITION DURING THE YEARS 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, (five volumes). New York: G. P. Putnum and Company, 1856.

21 INDEX to PLACE NAMES, PERSONAL NAMES, and EVENTS

Abernethy, George 4 Act for Admission 10 Allen, Samuel ii, 12 architects 12 Avery Building 9 Babcock, Dr. Ira L. 2 Beers, Alanson 3 Bentson, William A. i, 24 Blanchet, Father Francis N. 2 California 5 Catholic Mission 2 Cattle, destruction of 3 Chadwick, S. F. 14 Champoeg 1, 3, 4 Chemeketa 2 Chemeketa Hotel 17 Clackamas County Courthouse 6 Colby, C. F. 14 constitution, Oregon (see also Organic Laws) 3, 4, II, 14 cornerstone laying 13-14 Corvallis 6, 9, 10 dome 14, 15, 16 Farnham, Thomas J. 1 Fillmore, President Millard 8 fire ii, iii, 10, 16-17 French Prairie I, 3 Gale, Joseph 3 Gervais, Joseph 3 Gilbert, W. G. 12 Gilfry, H. H. 14 Gray, William H. 3 Grover, Lafayette F. 12 Hatfield, Sen. Mark O. iii Hathaway, Felix 4 Hill, David 3 Holman Building 1 1 Holman, Joseph II, 14 Klippel, Henry 12 Knighton, H. M. 5 Krumbein, J. 12 Lane, Gen. Joseph 5 Lee, Rev. Jason I, 2 Leslie, Rev. David 1 Lewis and Clark 19

22 library 4 Linn City 6 Linn, Sen. Lewis F. 1 Magruder, Theophilus 4 Marion Hotel 17 Marysville 6 Masons 13-14 Methodist Church 5 Methodist Mission 1, 2, 3, 4 Miller, General John H. 12 Morrison, John L. 6 Nesmith-Wilson Building 7, 10 omnibus bill 6 Oregon Bill 5 Oregon City 3, 4, 5, 6 Oregon Institute 7 Oregon Statesman 8 19 Oregonian 10 Organic Laws (see also constitution, Oregon) 4 pioneer, Oregon 19 Polk, Pres. James K. 5 porticoes 14-15 Portland 6 Price, J. B. 6 provisional government 3, 4 Rector Building 8 Rector, William H. 9 Rice, G. W. 5 Sacajawea 19 Salem Armory 17 Scott, J. M. 14 St. Paul 2 Stapleton, H. 14 statues 18-19 territorial government 1, 5 territorial legislature 6 Thornton, J. Quinn 3 veto 5 Washington, George 14 Whitaker, Governor John 10 Wilkes, Charles 2, 3 Willamette Falls 4 Willamette University 7, 14 Willson, Dr. W. H. 12 Wolf Meeting 3 Young, Ewing 2

23 TheAuthor

Major William Allen Bentson, Army of the U.S. Ret., was born in Silverton, Oregon, December 16, 1918. His father, Oscar B. Bentson, was born near Dell Rapids, in 1886. His grandparents were born in Norway. The Bentson family moved to Oregon in 1901 and settled in Silverton. His mother, Clayrene E. Settlemier, was born in Summerville, Oregon in 1888. Her mother, Linnie Ann Allen, was an infant when crossing the plains in 1847. Her father, Alexander A. Settlemier was a boy of seven when he crossed the plains in 1849.

Major Bentson first attended school in Silverton and after moving to Salem in 1928, attended Garfield and Washington schools, Parrish Junior High School and graduated from Salem High School in 1938. His attendance at Willamette University was interrupted in 1941, when he was ordered to active duty with the Army. He was stationed at , Oregon when World War II began and in March 1942, embarked for duty in Australia, later serving in New Guinea and the , before returning to the States in March of 1946.

Mter being discharged from the Army, he attended Oregon College of Education until taking up a position in the 's Office in late 1946. In August 1948, he was ordered back to active duty and remained in the Army until retirement in 1963. He attended Portland State College and graduated in 1964 with a B.S. degree in Education.

In February 1943, Bentson had married Joan Staines in Brisbane, Australia. Mrs. Bentson came to Salem as a war bride in 1946. They have one son and two daughters, born in Oregon. In 1964 the family moved to Brisbane, where they presently reside, occasionally returning to Oregon to visit.

For several years, Major Bentson was employed in the field of service to disadvantaged persons and also taught in high schools. At one point, he returned to Oregon to take up ,a position as General Manager of an electronics company in Scappoose for three and a half years. He is a member of the Oregon Historical Society, the Oregon Library Foundation and Willamette Valley Genealogical Society. During the past few years he has devoted considerable time to researching Oregon history and information on U.S. Armed Forces units that served in the Southwest Pacific during World War II.

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