St. Paul daily globe., 1886-06-02
Pillsbury Hall.

corner stone by Hon. George A. Pillsbury.
assisted by the architect. W. B. Dunnell
and master mason, II. 3. Woodley. An
address was made by Prof. j. Ingrahanl,
thanking Mr.. PillsbGry for the gift. res
ponded to by Hon. George A. Pllsbury;
music by the band followed by addresses
by Rev. H. c. Woods. d. c.. Rev. George
G. Tanner, superintendent of county
schools: Rev. j. w. Strong. D. D., and
Rev. d. d. McLaurjn; music by the chorus
and accompaniment; Rev. ". A. Spinney,
the pastor of the Baptist church of this.
city, pronounced the benediction.
MR.. PILLsBURy's ADDRESS.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen: want to
say in the first place that l am not public
speaker and if I was this would not be the
time, place, nor occasion for me to display it.
About two years ago first visited your beau
tiful city, when 1 brought my daughter here
to be educated. When l saw this beautiful
place, several things suggested themselves to
me to make grand success of the good,
although small beginning. Among other
things 1 suggested that la
dies boarding hall was needed
where the ladies who came here to be edu-
Gated could have good home and the super
vision of competent person to look after
their welfare, as we'll as their education.
Friends differed with me, saying what was
deny. 1 then agreed that if fund of $780,
600 was raised l would erect hall. Right
here, let me say, this is not Baptist aca-
deny, but nonsectarian one, and is called
the Minnesota academy. representing the
whole state, and although under the direction
Of men from the Baptist church, it is in
tended for ALL Last fall by the effort of the
friends of the academy the endowment fund
was raised, and it was to me the very worst
time. Times were hard and business dull.
and although the time had passed when
agreed to build, / stuck to the promise, for
saw the friends were in earnest to do a great
work for education. No particular credit is
due me, for God has intrusted me with money
to be used Alright. L owe much to the citi-
zens of Owatonna. who encouraged
me in the good work. l had
intended to build in the rear of the chapel,
but it occurred to me that if the citizens
would donate this beautiful spot (as the So
clety was too poor to buy it) would build
finer hall. Your generous citizens unani-
mOusly and cheerfully provided the means to
purchase this beautiful building site, to
whom all honor is due. believe it is the duty
Of every man, woman and child to do some
thing to make the world better for having
lived in it, and believe that if God blesses
them with means they should employ it for
the good of mankind and for the glory of God
while they live, and not leave it for heirs and
lawyers to fight over. / am glad to see so
many here who have an interest in this
undertaking, and hope. although my years
are almost numbered, that many will see the
growth of great and good institution out of
these small beginnings. [Applausel. Do not
understand me that l now consider my duty
done, but that L have only begun. Ap-
plause. We now need main college build
Ing. I thank you all, and hope this is only
small beginning. 1 expect to live only little
while longer, but there are those here who
will see greater things.
The contents of the box deposited in the
corner stone are:
Cabinet photograph of Hon. George Pills
bury; the Granite Monthly; copy of the
minutes of the twenty-sixth anniversary of
the Central Baptist association; Minnesota
Baptist Annual, 1885; catalogue Minnesota
academy for 1874 and 1885; the Northwest for
January, 1885; Journal and Herald, Peoples
Press, Pioneer Press, Globe, Minneapolis
Tribune; act Incorporating Minnesota
academy; the Examiner of New York city;
the Watchman of Boston, Mass; the Standard
of Chicago; Zion Advocate of Maine; Plans
and Elevation of Pillsbury hall, by Dunnen
& Elliot, and Charter and Ordinances of the
City of OWatonna.