The evening times., 1898-10-04
GOLD Saves A COLLEGE
A Treasurer's Wild Race for
Big Subscriptions.
RAISES $4,000 IN ONE DAY
barnard College at New York Is
Freed From Debt in n Curious and
Rapid Manner-ContinGen DOnn-
tions of Si45,OO0 Received-Fast
Financiering.

New York Oct. 4.-When George a.
morning he was oppressed with the sense
Of great issues depending on his energy,
his address and his resourcefuIness be-
fore midnight. BY raising $1,000 for
Barnard College, of which he is treasu-
rer, he would be winning for that institu-
ton an additional 100000 BY falling
short Of the $4,000 the college stood to
lose $l45.O00
Tat sounds little involved. but here
are the facts: Early in the year, when
Barnard College was burdened with a
debt Of $l01,O00, Mrs. A A Anderson,
one Of the trustees. and the wife of an
artist-her name was not announced until
last night, when the race was over and
won-offered to give $25 600 toward the
extinction OF the debt, provided the re-
naming $4,000 should be subscribed by
October B. Later on John d. Rockefeller
promised $4,000 on the same condition.
In the meantime the debt itself swelled
10 Si24,0O Last Thursday, when S73 900
Gncluding the conditional subscriptions
had been raised, an unknown friend OF
the college promised 10 give 100000 on
out by the date set by Mrs. Anderson.
SO IL is not quite accurate 10 say that
the college stood TO lose Sl45. 800 when Mr..
Plimpton first went to his office yesterday
morning. II was only $I35, 600 then. but it
jumped to Sli5 90 when J Pierpont Nor
gan complicated matters by Offering an
additional $1,000 providing the balance OF
the debt should melt before midnight
There was never a buster day in the life
of harassed treasurer. Not alone for
the sake Of his own reputation a lordly
beggar and for the sake of the college In
whose interests he is bound up did Mr..
Plimpton strive to accomplish his formid-
able task. The thing itself had a fascina-
tiUn for him and challenged his most
strenuous endeavors.
BY wire, by telephone by special mes
senger, he laid q network of mendicancy
all over the city. He himself darted
hither and thither in cab, boarding rich
men in their dens without fear and with
out shame. Never was beggary pursued
so relentlessly. Soon after Mr.. Morgan's
conditional promise of $4,000 a special
messenger returned from Judge John f.
Dillon with S,O0J.
Mr.. Plimpton went to the telephone and
called up the office of Evarts, Choate &
Beaman. and his clerks heard half of
conversation that sounded something like
this:
..ATr. Choate there? Tell him this is
Mr. Plimpton, please. That you, Mr..
Choate2 Can't you help us out with this
Barnard College debt? The time expires
tonight you know. Pierpont Morgan has
promised ten thousand on those same
conditions. and that makes 600 we'll
lose if we don't get rid of that debt to-
day. One thousand, did you say? All,
thanks, Good-by. -
And so 1t went In the afternoon $1,000
came from Seth NJ Aiillikin, 81 900 from
{. T. Barney. and Loco each from two
other friends of the college. Other sums
dribbled III, ranging from 500 to 500. Mr..
Plimpton was not still for moment He
did not take any lunch. When he was
not asking people for money, he was
racking his brains to think whom he
would ask for money next.
Dusk found him at his office He
sntached a hasty dinner and continued
TO beg. Bowles Colgate promised $1,000
over the phone. and the treasurer left
rewarded for having eaten his dinner
standing up. Half an hour later word
came from Mrs. Albert Meyer that Mrs.
William Salomon would give S1,000
Next came an important interview. One
of the principal creditors of the college
was talked over. After wrestling with
him for an hour Mr. Plimpton induced
him to write off an obligation of $4,000,
and accep in its stead a certain equity
consideration on property.
Nine o'clock came. The treasurer was
fatigued but undismayed. Three hours
were left to him. He went to the tele-
phone again. Whom he called up he did
not reveal afterward.
'Hullo." he said This is too bad
Here's 8 o'clock. and were still $1,000
shy. Ell? What's that? Youll make
the balance good? Well, that's great.
Awfully good of you, and 1t lets me
go home to bed after the hardest days
work / ever had in my life. Good
by"
And that was the end of il. Barnard
College has paid off its debt and won
Sl00,0 besides