West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-09-09
FROM NEwsBOY TO PREsIDENr
The Rapid Rise and Remarkable Ca.
rcer OF Dr. Raymond, President OF
the West Virginia University.


the West Virginia University.
The Chicago Times prints dou.
bic column picture of DR.. Raymond
and under it publishes the follow
/ ing biographical sketch;
From newSboy to university pres.
ident in twenty years--such is the
remarkable leap from the streets of
Chicago into fame made by Jerome
IL. Raymond. Through poverty
and strife against conditions that
would have dismsyed a Titan,
backed 10y indomitable pluck and
ceaseless industry, he worked his
way from the chrysalis stage Of a
newsboys life and bloomed into an
"Admirable Crchton," to whom
stuiy was easy and learning quickly
acquired. He was plucky little
chicago newsboy twenty years ago.
Now, at the age of 30, he has passed
many OF his seniors in the eduoa-
uonal lace, and has just been made
president of the West Virginia
University.
Mr.. Raymond is the Youngest col.
lege president in the United States.
Ills career in search of knowledge
Is almost unparalleled. Few men
have been able to climb the ladder
OF learning so quickly as this Chi.
cago newsboy. Many men are able
to assimilate knowledge, but few
have also developed ability to be
come brilliant teachers of the learn.
ing they have imbibed.
knowledge greeted Raymond
with n smile and welcomed him In
the halls Of learning. lie galloped
his way through college and imme.
diately became valuable as an edu.
Gator. He was called to the head
of the West Virginia institution
from the University Of Wisconsin.
where he has held the chair Of soci
ology for the last two years.
Professor Raymond began life in
Chicago. His father died when he
was "A child Of nine, and he went
on the streets to sell papers in order
to keep the wolf from his mothers
door. Young as he was he caught
the editorial fever and wanted to
start a newspaper OF his own. Three
wears later he did become the editor
of Il newsboy's paper. lie wonders
at his nerve even nov. lie left the
streets TO become office boy for Geo.
NJ. Pullman. lie studied stenog.
raphy, and when ho was II Mr.
Pullman made him his personal
stenogrApbcr,
lie had a thirst for learning.
however, that nothing could
quench. His friends thought he
was on the way to high position un
der Mr.. Pullman, but the youth
preferred to study. lie left the
palace car mngnate when he was 1S,
Notwithstanding the protests of his
friends, and entered the North
western University Academy. As
his only chance TO study had been
at home, he had no credits from
another school to secure advanced
standing.
BY continued outside application
and by special examination he com.
pleted the four years course IN one
year. At the same time he sup
ported his mother and himself by
working as a stenographer to Miss
Frances r.. Willard, former Prcsi-
dent Joseph Cummings, and r. G.
Hoag, former business agent Of The
University.
The precocious and diligont
youth entered college iu 1888 and
completed the freshman and sopho
more years. lie then became pri
yate secretary TO DR.. Thoburn,
Bishop Of India for the Methodist
Episcopal Church, when he was
writing bio book on India. and ac
companIed the Bishop on two
year trip around tho world. On
his way TO India he visited several
Of the leading European universi-
Tics. lie spent year aud a half
in India, Keeping up bis college
studies and making uso Of his op
portuuity 10 study San5crit.
lie returned to the United States
by way Of China aud Japan in Jan
uary, 1892 lie Immediately re-