The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-27
ASA PACKER.
Erom the Now York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
Asa Packer went to Pennsylvania from
Connecticut in 1872. lie became a tan
ner's apprentice, and later he learned
the trade of carpenter When the Be-
high Valley canal was opened about 1923
he was living In Mauch Chunk. just af-
ter the canal was opened Mr.. Packer
said to a friend: There are fortunes in
this valley for those who can see them.
/ think l can see one, and I'm going
after It," From that time on he never
swerved from the main purpose of his
life. He first bought a canalboat and en-
gagged in the coal carrying trade. Then
he acquired coal lands, bought more
boats and carried his own coal. In 1874
he was elected to the state legislature.
That gave him the opportunity that he
wanted, and the question of building the
Lehigh Valley railroad was first agitat-
ed. Mr.. Packer was a. man who wanted
to be known by his works, and nine
years after he went TO Harrisburg as the
member from Mauch Chunk. in 1855, the
main line of the Lchigh Valley road was
opened from Mauch Chunk to Easton,
with branches to Hazleton and Mahanoy.
o
How the road was developed and ex-
tended is well known. Where Mr.. Pack
er got the capital to build the road is
not so well known. When Mr.. Packer
was formulating his scheme of railroad
that should open up the anthracite coal
fields he was talking over his plans with
some of his neghbors. In the course of
the conversation he said: 'T don't want
to carry through this great scheme for
my own benefit only. l want to do some
thing for every man. woman, and child
in all this region. If they will help me
they will be the richer for it." The peo-
pie of the Lehigh Valley believed what
nAlE. t.1I L.. H.,
had a dollar to spare put II into Pack
er's hands and took certificates. Some of
those who thus secured holdings of stock
now reckon their fortunes by the mil
lions. Others gained moderate incomes
that were sure so long as Asa Packer
lived, but would lose their all should the
Lehigh Valley road become bankrupt.
o
After Packer had built his railroad and
opened the Lehigh Valley. he wanted to
do something more for the people who
had placed their confidence in him. The
opening of the anthracite country had
brought families to the valley by the
score where before there had been but
few. Children were growing up, many of
whom would need a higher education
than they could get in the region. 1t
occurred to Asa Packer to found a uni
versity where any one who cared to
might receive a technical education free
of charge. Up among the hills of South
Bethlehem Packer owned a tract of land
of siXty-five acres, originally forest, from
which came the ties upon which the rails
of the Lehigh Valley were laid.
o
In 1865, Mr.. Packer gave this land for
site and added to it S500,000 for the
original endowment of Lehigh University
The university was incorporated in 1861
and from then until the time of his death
Mr.. Packer contributed to the running
expenses of the institution $250,OO0, and
gave $6O0,000 Of the Sl25O,O0O which the
buildings have cost Mr.. Packer died al
his town house in Philadelphia, May II
1879. BY his will Mr.. Packer left to LIE.
high university 81, 100000 plus 100000 fol
the endowment of the Lucy Packer Lind
erman library