Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/145

ORIGIN OF PACIFIC UNIVERSITY. 139 question of closer affiliation with the Congregational de- nomination he was even more opposed than President Marsh to anything that might be regarded as sectarian, and cherished the vain hope of merging all the Christian schools of the State into one strong institution under re- ligious patronage. Had he been able to accomplish his purpose in this it would have been a master piece in the educational history of Oregon. The idea, however, was beyond the conditions that then existed and was opposed by the trustees ; his term of service also was too brief to allow of its accomplishment. President Herrick gave his immediate attention to the acquisition of a suitable dormitory for the young women, now a part of the institution. Most of his time was spent in the East, and, in fact, he never really established a home in the place where the institution was located. Through his efforts in the East enough was secured to eject the building which now bears his name " Herrick Hall." The building was architecturally better than any other on the campus and cost about $16,000. When it was completed it was opened with appropriate ceremonies and an address upon " The Higher Education of Women, the Last Chapter in the History of Liberty." During the presidency of Doctor Herriek an effort was made to realize, under the patronage of the college, a plan cherished by Capt. M. C. Wilkinson of the United States army for an industrial school for Indians at Forest Grove, similar to that established at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. That he might accomplish his object the captain was detailed as a military instructor in Pacific University. It was the plan that the college should furnish the site and preserve an oversight of the school, while the government should provide the money. Considerable space is taken up in the records of the trustees over questions connected with this undertaking and various reports made from time to time.