Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1897-10-15
A NEWSBOY PRESIDENT.
HEAD Of UNIVERSITY WHO ONCE
SOLD PAPERS ON THE STREETS.


downtown streets to the presidency
of state university within twenty
years, is Il rapid rise in the world.
Yet such is the progress Of John Hall
Raymond, who last year was called
from n proiessorship Of sociology in
the University Of Wisconsin TO the
head of tho University Of West Vir-
inia. Moreover, he il the youngest
president Of university in the United
States.
The way in which Mr.. Raymond
wrung success from adverse circum-
stances is an interesting story of per-
severance. He was only two years
old when his parents moved to Chi.
cagO. His education was meagre,
being acquired at uncertain intervals
in the Englewood public schools. In
his early teens he sold newspapers on
downtown corner. The average boy
Of progressive tendencies would look
with satisfaction toward commercial
career, but Raymond mad little
Thought Of such u life. At fifteen he
was editor of Phlately, paper de-
voted to the interests Of the postage
stamp collector. This journal circu.
lated throughout the United States,
and even found its way TO foreign
countries.
Meanwhile Raymond Iut in his
spare TINE learning stenography. He
drifted to Pullman, and when only
nineteen had risen from Office boy to
a position which brought him 81 900
year. There Is reason to believe
that, il he had chosen 10 continue in
the line of work laid ont for him at
Pullman, few years would have
brought him 10 position assuring
large means and great responsibility.
But against the advice Of his friends
ho threw up his prospects and went
to Evanston, where in two summers
and one winter he completed all the
work usual Y included in four years
preparatory course, and passed with
ease the entrance examinations to the
College of Liberal Arts. All this time
he was earning his living by stenog-
raphy. In addition to paying his own
expenses and carrying on his studies
he supported his mother. He entered
college in 1889, remaining until the
winter Of 1890.
While Raymond was in his sopho-
more year he made the acquaintance
of Bishop J. M. Thoburn, who has
charge of the work Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in India. The
bishop was writing n book on life in
India, and was so taken with the
yong man that he engaged him for
two years as travelling secretary. They !
went to India by way of the Suez |
Canal, touching at different points in
Europe, and ut every stopping place
Raymond made the most of his OPP.
pOrtunities for study. Here he was
opportunities for travel sell
dom granted To men Of his age who
are not in easy circumstances, work
ing at an appointed task with sufficient
energy to satisfy the call of duty to
any less camorous conscience, and yet
he was carrying on all the work Of his
college classes by private study and
out to regain unrequired
but desired knowledge.
In India Mr.. Raymond devoted
himself t. Sanscrit. He returned TO
Chicago 10y way of China and Jalan in
TIE winter of 1892, and took the ex-
with his college classes.
One term of his senior year remained,
but his work was so lar in advance .
that he was excused from attendance
at classes. The spring term he passed
~ travelling secretary for George VI.
Pullman, returned 10 Evanston in time .
to receive his diploma and to partici- /
pate in the Kirk orato, zeal contest. 1t
Is curious that in this contest he was
defeated by the young woman who af-
tcrward became his wife, Miss Net
lie Hunt Of Aurora, I'll. Miss Hunt
was one Of the brightest Of the young .
whose names form list of
llumnm highly creditable to North
western University. Her engagement
to Raymond began during their college
course, aud they were married in 1898,
before he accepted MS call 10 the UNI
rersiiy Of Wisconsin.
After graduation Mr. Raymond's
rise was rapid. The first year he
served IA secretary of the Society for
Extension in Chicago, and
the following year became professor
" political economy at Lawrence uni
yersity, Appleton, Wis. A course of
lectures delivered by him at Chautau-
uua the following summer attracted
the attention of President Harper Of
the University Of Chicago, and the
next winter saw Raymond as secretary
and lecturer in the class study work
Of the university extension department
Of the Chicago institution. His ability
IA an organizer was here brought into
4 4 4. l.,