beyond them James A. O'Neil was operating a grist mill
he had erected during the winter of 1844-45. Children came from neighboring settlements to at- tend the school and boarded with families near Colonel Ford. The Applegate children came from Salt Creek where Jesse, Lindsay and Charles Applegate had located. Among the pupils was little Mary Embree who many years ago became Mrs. Thomas Hayter. She gives the list of "scholars" as she today (1925) recalls them:
Sarah and Caroline Ford.
Mary and Thomas Embree
Amanda Tharp
Caroline and Pauline Goff
Ann and John Howard
Gertrude Applegate and two Applegate boys.
For the next term she adds Martha Howard, Miller Ford, three Blevens children and three Beagle children.
On February 5th, 1846, there was published at Oregon City the first issue of the "Oregon Spectator" which was the first newspaper published in American Territory west of the Rocky Mountains. In the issue of March 19, 1846, is found the following notice:
JEFFERSON INSTITUTE
Is located in the Rickreall Valley, one mile west of the residence of Col. N. Ford. The first session of this school Will commence on the second Monday of next April and continue twenty-four weeks. Scholars from a distance can be accomodated with boarding in the neighborhood. Terms of tuition, $8.00 per scholar. N. Ford James Howard John E. Lyle William Beagle Teacher Trustees March 7, 1846