Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/128

122 JAMES R. ROBERTSON. From 1848 to 1853 the institution aimed at nothing be- yond the work of an academy. In fact, it had all it could do to continue as such. The problems connected with the securing of money, employment of teachers, and ac- quiring of equipment were often discussed with "feverish interest," as Mr. Atkinson expressed it. Trips were made back and forth between Oregon City, Portland, and Forest Grove by horseback, in lumber wagon, and on foot, re- gardless of weather or condition of roads. Conferences were prolonged far into the night and the early hours of morning. On one occasion it was actually resolved to discontinue the school, but the resolution had been heard through the cracks in the ceiling of the cabin by Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Brown, and they plead with the men to reverse it, with the result that the school was continued. By 1852 the existence of the academy was assured and the purpose of extending the work had gained headway with the board of trustees. Doctor Atkinson started for the East in the interest of his work in 1852, and it was re- solved to intrust to his care a Representation of the school to the Society for the Promotion of -College and Theological Education, whose secretary had in a measure been respon- sible for the enterprise in his farewell to Mr. Atkinson. Application was therefore made to be placed on the list of institutions to receive aid. An interval elapsed before the reply could be received, which Doctor Atkinson improved by an issue of circulars to the leading patrons of educa- tion in the East. Many prominent men were willing to indorse the undertaking and to allow the use of their names in that connection. Among those who rendered this important service are to be found such men as Rev. M. Badger and D. B. Coe, of the American Missionary Society; Revs. Richard S. Storrs, Henry Ward Beecher, Gardiner Spring, George B. Cheever, William Adams,