The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-09-01
FROM BELFRY TO BASEMENT.
Strange Quarters of n Janitor Who
Built the Church He Lives In.

Denver has the extraordinary in
stance OF man who gave his entire
church, and then became janitor." said
William II. Graham to writer for the
Pittsburg Dispatch. 1t is nothing
unusual to see the man who gave
leader in the congregation, but here is
a man who gave every cent OF the s37, 900
he had accumulated and was then con-
ses small az s salary Many years aso there e
resided in Alliance, o., a man who, in
order to make a better living for him
self and wife, opened a restaurant in
neer on the Fort Wayne road, between
Pittsburg and his native town. He
gained a little money in the pursuit OF
Ing up out OF the rays of the setting sun
as the coming metropolis Of the West,
he packed up. his earthly possessions
With the little sayings ne had taken
| with him he purchased home, sur
rounded by some little property. for
portion OF the land adjoining his house
became very valuable, and he sold II
at a great profit. Having acquired a
sold, always being successful, unit! his
modest savings had increased to $37, 600
But the engineers path was not to be
all roses. for about this time his wife
/
He mourned her loss very bitterly. Feel
ing that he should do some good in the
world, he became very much interested
| in church work.
The Christian Church at Denver had
been very successful, but after acquir-
ing considerable congregation the
work seemed at a standstill The pastor
had received call from another city,
and was about to accept It, when the
Pittsburg engineer came, to him and
argued that his proposed going away
while our church has increased rapidly
we are now at a standstill. What we
need now Is counter-irritant to stir
up I The people for the good work Es.
and you Will see what great good can he
done The minister concurred in this
complish the establishment OF another
church, as funds were very scarce with
this, the engineer agreed to donate Sl2,
900 towards purchasing a lot and to be.
remain. This offer was accepted; soor
lot was obtained, and in a short time
} the tent which was erected to hold the
) services held an earnest congregation o.
, seventy, Interest in the work Increased
: and building was soon commenced s,
interested did the engineer become tina
h ne not srt only Sdi gave his promised $1,000
nation until. when the SIS, 900 church wa,
Sas s tss he So had Eye en- every cent
support The church proved to be ON NJ
Of the finest in Denver. and is to-da,
= the pride OF the city.
, But what was this benevolent man t,
, do? He had given his all to tn,
: church. but he must live. He wen
5 meekly and asked for the position o
4 janitor, or course. he was accepted
E and to this day he is filling that posi-
h ton. But he 10 no ordinary janitor
he is rather a king in the congregation
8 He is about seventy years old, and live
: in the church. Away nm in thu baIfr-
: which he built he has a comfortable
e bedroom arranged. and down in IN
I basement he eats his meals. He re
4 not required Tor his frugal living h
= gives TO the aims fund. said he 4
looked upon as king. On every ques
n tion which comes up about the churc
;, his opinion his asked for and respected
!. He Is content with his life, havin
r made sacrifice OF himself and hi
wealth to the great cause"