The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-08-17
THE LEASE HOME FUND.

In July, 1897, The Representative be-
gan an attempt to raise money enough
to buy the great Populist orator, Mrs.
Mary E. Lease, a home. We we're moved
to this by the fact that her residence in
Wichita. Kas., had been taken from her
by the foreclosure Of a mortgage, and
even her personal property had been
seized upon. We therefore appealed to
the members of the Peoples party
everywhere to contribute what they
could to the good work. From every d.
rection donations we're rained in upon
U.S. We collected altogether $132.65.
At this time Mr.. A. r. Holston, of
CroOkstOn, county attorney of Polk
county, and gentleman of great en-
ergy, wrote us letter proposing to set
the different cities Of that county COM
peting for the honor of having Mrs.
Lease a resident among them, and he
said he had no doubt that they could
raise fund of 81, 500, and buy her a few
acres and build her a handsome house.
The result would probably have been
that Crookston would have secured the
prize. All they asked was that Mrs.
Lease should make her home at the spot
selected during the summer months,
when not called away by her lecture en-
gagements. Mr.. Holston believed that
the whole county of Polk would have
engaged in the work with enthusiasm,
and have raised the necessary amount.
This proposition was submitted to
Mrs. Lease, but she felt constrained to
decline the offer, on account of the weak
health of her daughter, who she feared,
could not stand our Northern climate
We thought she had made mistake,
and so wrote her, because there is no
country in the world more invigorating
and lifegiving than Minnesota, and es-
pecially Northern Minnesota.
The publication of this correspond
ence put damper on the general
scheme, and the contributions practi-
cally ceased.
Hon. Thomas E. Watson, of Georgia,
had generously contributed to the fund
100 copies of the first edition of his
SHistory of France" worth 81 a volume.
We put them down at 500 in our print
ed reports, believing that we could
readily sell them for that amount; but
the apathy which followed was so great
that but one or two copies were disposed
of.The remainder we yet have, piled up
on table in The Representative Of
flee. We wrote Mr.. Watson some time
ago. asking what disposition he de-
sired made of these books, but have re-
ceived no reply from him.
We have hoped that something might
occur which would revive interest in the
fund. but the fusion battle and the di-
vision in our own ranks, has driven the
whole matter out of the minds of the
people.
The attempt to buy Mrs. Lease home
having, therefore, fallen through-ap-
parently forever-we hold the sum con-
tributed subject to the order of those
who donated them
The name Of every contributor has
been printed in our columns, during the
summer and fall Of 1897, and the early
winter of 1898. We have a list of the
names.
The question now arises, WHAT
SHALL WE DO WITH THE MONEY?
A majority of the few we have talked
to say: Give it to Mrs. Lease" This
would be our own inclination. Others,
however, want it returned to them
selves; and still others desire it credited
On their subscriptions to this paper. or
given to some other paper. What shall
we do?
We hope each contributor will write
us a letter or postal card, and give us
his instructions.
Most of the contributions were in
Email sums-nickels and 1O-cent pieces
and quarters.
Let us hear from you, friends. We
want the thing settled up. I'D.