Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-27
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Gratifying Indications of the Success of the
Project . -.
Actual building is Expected to Com
nence With the Opening
of Next Spring.

Bishop John T. Hurst, Chancellor of the
projected American University. and Vice
Chancellor Samuel l.. Beiler will return
here shortly after extensive trips through
the west in furtherance Of the establish
ment OF the university. The work of Sc
curing funds and preparing for building has
progressed systematically at the headQuar-
tiers here through the summer. Bishop
Hurst is now at the conferences in Indiana
while DIR. Beiler is attending those in west
ern Pennsylvania. Illinois. Iowa, Minnesota
and elsewhere. This field work, as it Is
called. is expected to stimulate the various
sections on the university project and to
bring about substantial additions to the
funds.
A steady increase in the fund has pro-
ceeded through the summer. although the
larger subscriptions have been for estab-
fishing professorships. while the university
officers are anxious to get the buildings be.
fore stablishing professorships and scholar
ships.
Most Munificent Offer.
This desire has led to the offer by a
wealthy gentleman. who does not wish his
name used at present, to build the first
structure. to be used an administration
building. 1t is estimated that 1t will cost
from s200.O00 to $4,000. 1t will be of stone
long by 100 feet deep. The time for break
ing ground for this building has not yet
been set. but 1t is not likely to be begun be-
fore next spring. Funds to begin grading
have also been subscribed, but this work is
deferred pending the establishment by the
local authorities of uniform grade for
Massachusetts and Nebraska avenues. along
which the university grounds extend. 1t Is
calculated that this grading and the actual
building will be under way by next spring.
The architects designs for the building
have been made under the supervision of
the gentleman who proposes to do the work.
and have been approved by the officers here.
This building. when completed. will be the
nucleus for future buildings. 1t will first be
used for special purpose, probably school
of history. and while thus used a second
building will be added. Thus the whole
group of buildings will be gradually devel-
oped.
Designs Already Completed.
At present designs have been made for
the administration building. library chapel.
hall of science, hall of history, hall of
philosophy. hall of languages and literature.
hall of law. hall of medicine. observatory.
three residences with dormitories for stu
dents. chancellor's house, professors houses,
gymnasium and power house. The observa-
tory is to be located on the highest point in
the District of Columbia, and is said to
have site superior to the government OBJ
Servatory near by.
ing. there have been two donations of SlO0.
no EACH one by an Ohio gentleman and the
other by a New York lady. whose names
are withheld. Both OF these are for pro-
fessorships.
Growth of the Preachers Fund.
The preachers fund has also grown to
sGS,OOO within recent days. OF this, $1,000
in cash has been paid in. 1t was started in
New York. being restricted to preachers.
and has been taken up all over the country.
until the fund is expected to reach S1o0OOO.
1t will be used to build Asbury Hall. named
after the first American bishop. The hall
VIII serve as a religious museum. Mrs.
John A. Logan, one of the trustees, has also
undertaken to raise a special fund. and has
set the figure at one million dollars. The
preliminary work is being done toward in
teresting parties in this fund, and there
are prospects that one of the contributions
Will he in the hundred thousands, although,
as yet, they have not been reported above
Sl,Ws and $'W3. At present, 1t is estimat ted
that the assets of the university. including
real estate and assurances of contributions
will reach 10000.