The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-03-23
THE COLLEGE OF MUSIC.
WHAT EFFECT Mr.. WOODS DEATH WILL HAVE
UPON r-oEIGfN AND PROGRESS or TIKI


The death, last Wednesday, OF Mr. Samuel Wood
has revived public interest IN the American College Of
Music, which much talked OF throe years ago,
aud which Mr.. Wood proposed TO endow SO heavily
during his lifetime. Tue announcement that the
millionaire had lett will providing for the establish.
menl Of the college according to his original design,
ana devotug the bulk OF hrs property that purpose
seems 10 make certainly OF what haa
long been regarded matter oil much doubt There
Gun be no doubt, however, that It Mr.. Woods
earnest wish thai his fortune should be employed IN
the manner designated In his will and that circum-
stances alone prevented the Accomplishment OF his
purpose during his lifetime. As SO long time has
elapsed since the College oil Music was subject Of
general discussion may be we'll to give brioI
OF the way in which the prop 'sion originated.
A BsNEvoLEsr DESIGN.
For many years Mr. " God had been endeavoring TO
decide upon by which he could dispose Of his
immense wealth TO the greatest good, and, al.
the same time make himself respected
and beloved. His original design was TO cnaow
u hospital. but, becoming dissatisfied with that
project he at took DR.. wfDiinm Elmer then his
attending physician. into his confidence and asked
him Tor q better suggestion. This the doctor was
well prepared give, for he had long dreamed OF the
establishment OF such musical conservatory In this
country should rival the famous ms uons OF tho
Ola World. Disclosing the proposition to his expect
ant patent he was less surprised than delighted
to SEQ how eagery was sezed upon by that verita-
BILE Mecenas. Mr.. Wood insisted upon having tho
project more fully developed and presented 10 him
IN black and white. His wishes were complied with
and before many weeks had elapsed u pamphlet was
pu I-hed, about the middle of February, 1875, set
ting forth the plans OF the proposed Institution at
some length.
PROPOSED COLLEGE
From these appeared that maRni Acent building
was u be erected and Gtled with every appliance
necessary to college OF music tina; was INTENDED, II
possible. to surpass the older conservatorcs OF Paris
Brussels. Besides the necessary class and study
rooms, Offices and dress'ne rooms there was to DO
fine hall Tor CONCERTS and grander one for opera.
Vocal and Instrumental certs anu were to
be gwen, as we'll as English, Italian and German
opera. The college was to be dedicated the
daughters OF America; hut male as well as female
pupils were TO be admitted TO Its classes. Those VINO
FULLY able would be required to pay small tee.
Those who were unable 10 do SO would be edu-
Gated w,thou. cost TO themselves, II they
vslopment II desirable object. Tho building
which to form the permanent homo Of
this grand enterprise was To be 800 feet 10 length by
200 IN width The pamphlet which contained all tnis
Information was designed u awaken an interes. in the
project and how far would DO supported by
puOc opinion. As yet the name of the old gentleman
who was TO endow the institution was Withheld, and
the name OF Dr. Elmer was tho only one known in
connection with the scheme.
CHARTER GRANTED.
That the success 0i the preparatory pamphlet was
gratifying to ITS originator shown before long ny
The vgor with which measures wcre taken for the
commencement of the enterprise In tho first pace
char tor granted 10 the proposed college, author
ziug 1t TO hold real estate TO the valuo Of S20u00oo
sna Another u was by ,ss Is.
aiure aud signed by Governor Iiideu enactng that
certain tract of land Ia Central Park be appropriated
for the OF 'American College OF Muslc' bo
erected on plans approved by the Park Commission.
The ground designated IN the bill was situated
opposi Fifth avenue, between Seventy ninth and
Eighty filth streets, adjoining the present Museum
Art.
ege OF Music the appointment OF board OF trus.
tees, including the following gentlemen Henry G.
Edwards pierrepont then Attorney General Of
the United states; Marshall Roberts
fred NJ. simonson;. Ex-Governor Morgan, Judge
Jewett William H. Vanderbilt Tho Board shortly
after ITS orsanz.,on waited upon mr. Wood and asd
Guilty IN deciding upon proper person for The pres
dency OF the proposed insu tlon, but the position
declined It. Wagner and Rubensten af,erward
proposed, hut no deduito action was taken.
UNEXPECTED DELAY
Thus fur everything had gone along swimminely,
but now there came a hitch which II was feared ,
would ondanRer the life Of the budding enterprise.
n o seemed 10 know exactly what was tho matter;
but the whole thing seemed TO have come TO stand
sui Inen IL became known that Mr.. Wood mad been
dangerously III, AMI IL feared that signature
might never be affixed to the document which would
provide for the establishment OF tho college in
event OF his death. Finally however he signed the
Will; but wuilo his bodily condition was so precari.
GUS it deemed advisable TO take any further
Stops Il had been Mr. oods that the college
building might be erected IN his lietme and that his
own hand should lay the corner stone Then NOT only
would his memory be revered, but hts closing years
would be frightened by the respect and admiration oi
his fellow countrymsn. sut TINS was no. TO De:
OF pneumonia by which be had been pros.
tratcd perfect health never returned Ho re.
moved In summer 1875 from home IN
Brooklyn to this city, but was always aferward
confined 10 the house. The publication OF his name
OF the unknown millionaire who was ~ endoW
the College OF Music caused the suits which, had been
for years court against certain portion OF bis In
come TO BIO pressed with renewed vgor, and further
action on his pct project delayed until thoy
should be settled Twice the case has been decided,
practically. against him and against the College OF
Music but both simes It has been appealed, aud, as
stated in yesterdays HERALD, Is about to come up
Al the time OF the publication OF the pamphlet In
1875 and since then Mr.. Woods wealth was greatly
be worth 81, 900 0OO and even moro thau that La
reality his lortuLe never lar exceeded $1,000 600 or
1000, o0O and the former Is about The amount at
present This Is independent OF the $5U0,U00 Of ha
brother Abram, in which no had merely life interest,
but oil which one-hai Will De adaed TO MS state ii
the nephew, Abram Hewlett, succeeds In putting
aside the Will oil his uncle, Abram Wood
90
Mr. Wood leaves 500 U0U $780, 900 to distant rola-
and tho remainder tho establishment OF the
College Of Music. Tue codiGI of Will which pro-
vIdes Tor this disposition OF tho bulk OF tho
worded as make il cretonary with the execu-
tors OF the Will whener the principal or only tue IN
terest OF tho whole amount shall be devoted tho
founding OF tho college The latter course Will prob
ably DO adopted, but In any event the College OF
Music will PROBABLY not no "a thing Of the immediate
future Before "a grant OF land in Central Park was
MADE three years ago, suitable site VS. sought Tor
IN the city proper, among other places considered
being the Grand Opera House.
MR. WOODS FUNERAL.
Yesterday afternoon at three O'Clock q very large
number the friends and relatives OF Mr.. Wood
gathered at his late residence No SO West Thirty.
ninth street, TO listen TO the funeral services over the
remains. The corpse rested In magnificent caskot,
which stood In the centre OF the drawing room.
Among thosc present were many Loading merchants
md a number OF prominent persons In circles 10
this city, among the latter being Mss Clara Louiss
Kellogg Mr. H. G. Stcbbins, DIR. William Elmer,
Dr. J. r. Kennedy and Row. Dr. Moran werc also
Re Moore. ST Ge0rqa,a Enis-