Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-04-11
THE wsLoH MEMORIAL FUND.
An Effost 10 Practically Recognize
llae Character of Phfiku NJ. welcl,


An Hffost 10 Practically Recognize
the Character of Philip "a. WEIGH.
New York Evening Post, April ., 1889.
The melancholy circumstances attend
ing the recent death OF Philip IL Welch,
the brilliant humorist, produced deep
impression upon all who read OF his
career. He had won a recognized posi-
tion, and the prospects for his future
were most bright, when his death SEN
tenoe from cancer was pronounced. Still
he labored on in his occupation Of max
ing the world laugh, producing his
humorous fanoies in great profuHion-
writing them with his own hand, until
too weak longer TO hold the pen; then
debating them to his wife until three
days before his death; and finally, in
lucid moments between the periods Of
delirium caused by the intense suffering
Of the last IS hours, asking her TO jot
down isolated words which embodied
jokes in his mind that he still hoped TO
be able to work up" before the newt
able end Anything more heroic or
pathetic then the simple story OF this
brave mans last months it would be- hard
to imagine. General Grant and the En-.
peror Frederick manifested similar ooIr-
age, but they were sustained by the
warmly expressed admiration and SYM
pathy of the whole civilized world,
while MIR. Welch's struggle was watched
only by small circle Of personal friends
Mr.. Welch's friends amorg the jour
nalists Of this oity felt that there ought
to be some permanent memorial Of such
devotion end heroism. Instead OF the
conventional marble monument, ii seemed
more appropriate TO the circumstances,
and more consonant with what would
have been his own wishes, that this me-
morisl should take the form OF fund for
the education of his children. Mr..
Welch left four exceptionally bright and
promising children (sll of them under
the age OF yeRrs), to whom he WAS de.
yntediy attached; but be was unable to
make such provision for their education
as he Wonld have desired. II was there
fore proposed to raise Tho WEIGH Ne.
mortal Fund, TO he placed in his widows
hands for the education Of the children
IS the best possible monument to the
memory Of the dead husband and father
Thus far the movement has been prose.
cuted entirely by personal interviews and
private correspondence with people who
might be prsBnined TO be- interested in
the matter. But it has become evident
that only small proportion Of those who
would like to participate can be reached
i'll these ways, or will ever know of the
projsct unless some publicnnnOuncemen
regarding it is made. Repeatedly gifts
have been received from people who were
not supposed 10 be aware OF what wa
being done, but who had been informed
OF 1t by friends, and promptly oommuni-
Gated with those in charge. II haa there
fore been thought best to give publicity
to the matter, as the only way Of bring.
ing it to the notice OF all who would like
to share in it.
The movement appeals alike TO the
makers. and to the readers of newspapers
Mr.. Welch's heroisn reflects honor upon
the profession OF journalism and Jour
naitsts everywhere must feel moved 10
recognize it. His jokes, appearing otipi-
nally in the New York Sun, PUCK, LIE,
tue H1oth, and other publications, were
copied all over the land, and hosts OF
people who admire humor have mad
many merry laugh over his witticisms.
The most gratifying feature about the
ANNtNoi hoo Lux iho ubhttlubhS OF the fe-
Spouse which it has evoked wherever il
has become known, Both the working
newspaper men and the readers of news
papers among people possessed of more
wealth have shown spirit we'll expressed
by one OF the latter, who Wrate that ha
( should consider it q giyileR3 to be al.
inHea TO contribute tC na naa y II
/ 10 believed that there is great number
OF people, scattered all over the country,
who will gladly embrace tie opportunity
now afforded TO participate in thu move.
ment and thus swell the memorial FIND
to handsome proportions. Coniribu
tons OF any amount will be welcomed
and it Ia hoped that all classes OF people
may be well represented. Remittancss
may be mode to Edward p. Clark, treas.
urer, editorial rooms, Tie EUening Past,
New York, who will give any further in.
formation which may be sought. Mr.. Il.
W. Glider, editor OF the Ceatury Magazt,s,
Mr.. L. B. Nolealt, editor Of Inc Forum,
and the Rev DIR. Lyman Abbott, editor
Of the Christian Union. authorizs the
statement that they are in hearty SYM
| pGthy With this movement and that thew
have consented to audit tho treaeuret'e
accounts. II is desired that the press of
the country ehall give tho widest pub
hcity to the announcement OF this me-
mortal fund.