Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/60

50 J. H. BOOTH gram of speeches and songs was given by old-time students and teachers. Beneath the oak trees nearby the Wilbur people had prepared and spread an excellent noon-time meal. To perpetuate the ideas inculcated by the old institution and to preserve the history and strengthen the ties of early asso- ciation, it was decided to form a permanent organization. Officers for the year were elected. A committee was ap- pointed to draft articles of association for adoption at the next yearly meeting. From these proposed articles the real object of the association can best be set out by quoting: 1. To unite in a permanent organization all students and teachers of the Umpqua Academy; to renew and extend acquaintance and friendship of students and teachers and patrons of the school. 2. To gather, publish and preserve the history of the Ump- qua Academy, its teachers, students and patrons. 3. To mark the location of the first building and provide a fitting memorial to Rev. James H. Wilbur, the founder. 4. To stimulate the interest of education in the Wilbur Public School. The affairs of the association are to be handled by an executive committee, which is to be elected annually. An his- torian is provided to "gather, edit and present in proper form all historical data in, harmony with the objects of this associa- tion." Funds are provided through initiation, annual dues and voluntary contributions. It is difficult to measure the influence of such an institu- tion as the Umpqua Academy upon a community. To do so it is necessary to know both the principles upon which it was founded and the character of its founders. Founded by Father Wilbur, who was himself missionary, Indian agent, and "cir- cuit rider" for the Methodist Church, a man of great physical endurance and courage, as well as moral force and high intel- lectual endowment; and maintained by far-seeing pioneers of sterling worth and integrity, it is not strange that its influence extends and is felt far beyond the picturesque village named for its founder, or the boundaries of the county in which lie the various valleys of the Umpqua rivers.