The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-20
DITY INTELLIGENCE.
GIRARD COLLEGE,
sixteenth Annual Reg.nlcpv Of the Alumni of tho

sixteenth Annual Reunion Of the Alumni Of tho
Tomorrow morning, at halfpast ii O'Clock, in the
main OF the Grard College buildings the annual
reunion Of the alumni takes place.
In this connection IL may not be misaprop0s 20 give
some brief review OF the life Of Stephen Grard the
munincent founder OF the institution. on the 2lst
of May, 1850, near the town OF Bordeaux IN tIanCe
Mr. Girard was born, and on the 26th OF Decem0er
1884, in the city Of Philadelphia, he died. his @ , 9
was busy, eventful and useful. He was tne SUI " W
seaman and followed his fathers calling, rlsng g Dy
degrees from cabin boy TO De masSei % To- S f7ee he
owner Of an American c1as SmseIf in business as
Rmall trader i'm this city. lie O .ii bia mari
the West Indies with yaraDSG yaanGed nv the war Of the
Revolntion. He then opened grocery anu IT II9uor
store first here and tneP his a' dealings GimS with with
IN indies and for a while was in partnership with
his brother john In 1890 ts pv W sone Gao ooo
sThe foundation Of his subsequent WealIh, however,
seems TO have been lease when ne Iook 0, rangs
S " nc war THESE he sub-rented at large profit
Enother source of gain to him was the negro lnsur
tbo in one of the ports OF the island and many OF
tbe planters placed their treasures In them for safety
INF were afterwards cut off, with their entire fam-
,SS Abont $50 600 worth OF property, whose owners
conld not be found thus remained in Mr.. Girards
SonIs with a remarkable capacity for business,
and hamt of strctness in money matters he rapidly
multiplied his wealth. and before long came to be re-
coRnized as of the most successlul ana wealthy
nf the yellow fever in Philadelphia in -97,
and '6s Mr., Girard not only made liberal
con the duties of physician and nurse, and
for two months kept charge of the hospital on Bush
hin In 1912, having purchased the building and
large mart of the stock Of the old United States Bank
he commenced business as private banker, with
capital of sl20OOOO which was afterwards increased
TO OOO 600. He contributed ltberaly to all public
improvements, and adorned the city OF Philadelphia
with many handsome buildings. His property at the
time of his death amounted TO about S9OOOOOO. Com
nareveiy little of it was bequeathed to his relatives
the bulk going in bequests TO this city and State, to
Aid along various enterprises works, and institutions
II,
the sum Of So 000-nsde the residue OF certain
portion of his estate out OF wncn some egacles were
10 he maid together with q plot Of ground in Phla-
dephia-for the erection and support OF college for
orphans The most minute directions were given
for the construction, sZe and materials of the build
ING which was begun in july 1S43, and opened
January l. 1s4s 1t is surrounded by stone
wall ten feet high, enclosing fortyone acres OF land
laid out in Fairgrounds grass plats gardens, etc.
1The main building is the finest specimen OF Grecian
finest of modern times. The outer walls, stair
eases floors and roof, are of white marble. 1t is in
the form Of Corinthian temple, surrounded by
portco Of 81 columns each So feet high and feet in
diameter It's length is 1863 feet its width Ill feet,
and its height 81 feet. marble statue in the lower
Vestibue covers the remains OF Mr.. Glrard There
are five other buildings within the incosure. The
cost of the ed6Ces was over Sl,93O,O0O. AS many
moor white male orphans as the endowment can
aPmpnort are admitted between the ages of six and
Ten years-fed, clothed and educated; and between
the ages Of fourteen and eighteen are pound out to
mechanical agricultural or commercial occupations.
Cirard College is the pride and boast OF Philadel-
phia 1t makes the chief place OF attraction for
Vsitors-hardly day but that scores of them throng
its grounds and crowd its portCoes.
Tomorrow being the 10th anniversary OF the birth
of Mr. Girard, the annual reunion OF the Alumni of
the college takes place
An attractive programme OF exercises has been
nrenared The Liberty Silver Cornet Band will fur
nish the music. An anniversary song, composed by
William II. Allen, IL D., and dedicated to the
Alumni, will be sung.
The Introductory address Will De delivered by the
President of the institution.
David Chambers, Esq, William Ward, Esq, and
Robert NJ Foust ESQ.,, will also deliver addresses
"a n
will be gven after which there will be an exhibition
drill by Colonel Baxter's Zouayes.