The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-12-04
A NEWSBOY PRESIDENT.
HEAD OF UNIVERSITY WHO ONCE
SOLD PAPERS ON THE STREETS.

The Rapid Rise in the World Made by
John Hall RAYMOND, the New Presi-
dent of the University of West Virginia
A Romantic Career.
From a newsboy selling papers on
the corners of Chicago's crowded
downtown streets to the presidency
of a state university, all within twenty
wears, is a rapid rise in the world;
Yet such is the progress OF John hal,
RAYMOND, who last year was calieo
from professorship of sociology In
the University of Wisconsin to the
head of the University OF west VIZ,
mia. Moreover, he is the youngest
president of university In the onited
States.
The way in which Mr.. Raymond
wruno success from adverse clrcum-
stances is an interesting story OF per-
severance. He was only two years
old when his parents moved to Chl-
caeo. His education was meagre,
being acquired at uncertain intervals
in the Englewood public schools. In
his early teens he sold newspapers on
a downtown corner. The average boy
of progressive tendencies would look
with satisfaction toward commercial
career. but Raymond had little
thought of such life. At fifteen he
was editor of Philately, paper de-
voted to the interests OF the postage
stamp collector. This journal circu-
lated throughout the United States,
and even found it's way to foreign
countries. :.
Meanwhile Raymond put in his
spare time learning stenography. he
drifted to Pullman, and when only
nineteen had risen from Office boy to
a position which brought him $1,000
wear. There is reason to belleve
that. if he had chosen to continue II
the line of work laid out for him a
Pullman, few years would have
brought him to a position assuring
large means and great responsibility
But against the advice of his friends
he threw up his prospects and Wen
to Evanston, where in two summer
and one winter he completed all thu
work usually included in four year
preparatory course, and passed VIII
. ease the entrance examinations to tn
College of Liberal Arts. All this tim
he was earning his living by stenog
,aphy. In addition to paying his ow
expenses and carrying on his studio
he supported his mother. He entere
collage in 1889. remaining until tn
: winter of 1890.
While Raymond was in his sophie
more year he made the acqualntanc
of Bishop J. M. Thoburn, who ha
charge of the work of the Methods
Episcopal Church in India. Th
l bishop was writing q book on life
4 India, and was so taken with tn
h Young man that he engaged him IL
r two years as travelling secretary. The
J. went to India by way of the Sue
y Canal, touching at different points
It Europe, and at every stopping plat
r RAYMOND made the most OF his OF
d portunities for study. Here he WI
S enjoying opportunities for travel Sc
5. dom granted to men OF his age WI
10 are not in easy circumstances, worl
a ing at an appointed task with sufficiel
: energy to satisfy the call OF duty
y any less clamorous conscience, and y
he was carrying on all the work OF b
college classes by private study al
a branching out to regain unrequlr'
= but desired knowledge.
n In India Mr.. Raymond devot'
: himself to Sanscrit. He returned
! Chicago by way of China and Japan
: ;he winter of 1892, and took the
aminations with his college classe
One term of his senior year RENAME
but his work was SO far in advan
that he was excused from attendan
ut classes. The spring term he pass
as travelling secretary for George
Pullman, returned to Evanston in til
to receive his diploma and to parti
pate in the Kirk oratorical contest.
is curious that in this contest he W
defeated by the young woman who
forward became his wife, Miss N
i tie Hunt of Aurora, Ill. Miss Hu
! was one of the brightest OF the you
] women whose names form list
alumne highly creditable to Mort
western University. Her engagemt
to Raymond began during their cole
course, and they were married In is
a. before he accepted his call to the q
is versity of Wisconsin.
in After graduation Mr.. Raymon
a rise was rapid. The first year
hs served as secretary of the Society
University Extension in Chicago, a
Of The following year became PROBES
err of political economy at Lawrence u
a versity, Appleton, Wis. A course
las lectures delivered by him at Chaut
rs. qua the following summer attract
( ;he attention of President Harper
ac- The University of Chicago, and
lgs aext winter saw Raymond as secret
and lecturer in the class study W.
the Of the university extension departm
Ion Of the Chicago institution. His abb
,ge IS an organizer was here brought i
ust play. In one year he raised the MT
me Der of classes from ten to fifty, ant
up three months increased the memt
ont ship from 200 to 1000. He recei'
ma the degree of doctor of philosol
from the University of Chicago in Il
Before that he had been called
ho. President Charles Kendall Adams
L..