The herald., 1897-12-07
QUATRO CENTENNIAL
OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
LIBRARY
Reception and Reunion to Be Held
This Evening-Interesting In
cidents in History

The twentyfifth anniversary Of the
founding of the public library will be
celebrated this evening. The rooms will
be thrown open and the friends and pa
irons are invited to be present, inspect
the books and rooms and renew the old
| acquaintance.
The occasion Is expected to be quite a
reunion Of old friends, for it is somewhat
remarkable that over 80 per cent Of the
enterprising founders are still living,
and many Of them are leaders in the at
fairs of the city and prominent names
in the state and nation. Many Of the
names of Spanish citizens who were
present at the first meeting are perpet-
uated in street nomenclature of the city.
The leaders in public affairs then In the
quiet pueblo are still leaders in the
bustling, growing, modern city.
The library had its inception in a
mass meeting held in the old Merced
theater, December Z, 1872, quarter of
century ago. The building was erect
ed in 1871 and still stands in good state
of preservation south of the Pico hotel,
the lower story having been used until
lately as an engine house.
The late Governor Downey was chair
man Of the meeting and w. r. Broderick
secretary. A committee consisting of
Governor Downey, Harris Newmark, s.
3. Canwell, H. K. w. Bent, Col. George
H. Smith, was appointed to begin at
once canvassing the city for donations
of books, money and life memberships.
The members of this committee are all
living to celebrate the growth and i'm
portance to which the incipient enter
prise has obtained, except the first
named.
One of the most widespread interests
in the history of the library was created
by a Dickens carnival given. in the
spring of 1880. Almost everybody in the
city participated in the affair and the
winter was spent in preparation. Those
who have assisted in similar entertain
ments will recall the fun and froic that
lightened the labor of such undertak-
ings. The proceeds were divided among
several charities and the library treas
ury was increased $3.50 as it's share.
The institution was dependent upon
subscriptions and donations for its sup
port until city funds were appropriated
in 1879.
The late DR.. Edgar, one Of the found
ers. never lost interest in It's welfare.
and left a bequest of $500 at his decease
some months ago.
Names familiar in the history and de-
velopment of the city will be recognized
in the following list of the founders: GOV.
John G. Downey. Volney E. Howard, F.
p. F. Temple, DIR. William F. Edgar.
General John NJ Baldwin. DR.. Joseph
Kurtz, I. W. Hellman, o. w. Childs, DR..
I. s. Stairway, Hon. r. w. Widney. Major
Frank Ganahl, Don. E. de Cells. Vincent
Hoover. Joseph Huber. Frank Lecouv-
reur, Colonel George H. Smith, DR.. c.
Heintzman, s. B. Caswell. Christobel
Aguilar, A. Bronson, ]. @. A. Stanley,
Hon. Y. Sepulveda, Chris Henne. Don
Pho Pico, DR.. John Griffith. Colonel
James Howard, I. W. Newmark, L. j.
Rose. Hon. f. J. C. Kewen, A. w. Potts,
General P. Banning, Hon. T. D. Mott,
William Mcpherson, Thomas Sanchez,
D. Rivera, DR.. H. S. Orme, Major E. M.
Ross, Hon. A. F. Coronel, H. T. Hazard,
William Ferguson, Hon. Asa Ellis, w.
Woodwork, Geronimo Lopez. Hon. A.
J. King, E. F. Fedoli, P. Beaudry. H.
Dockweiler, A. James, T. Campbell.
Eugene Meyer, John H. Wright, Charles
r. johnson, A. Chanon, William H.
Workman, William r. Rowland, Andrew
Glassell, Hon. H. K. S. O'Melveny, Hon.
D. B. Wilson, ]. NJ. Griffith, William Nc
Kee, S. H. Mott, H. Wartenberg, D. w.
lava an6ar