Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-25
THE LAYTON FUND
Contributions Arriving in a Most
Gratifying Manner.
FAMILY TO BE PLACED ABOVE WANT
Some of the Notable Subscriptions
Received Today
GEN. CORBIN'S STATEMENT

~
Adjutant General Corbin spent Christmas
today at his office in the War Department
and was busy most of the time in receiv-
ing and acknowledging contributions to the
Lawton fund. The total OF the subscrlp-
tions received by him up to noon today is
Sli, ,329.5 Telegraphic notice has also been
received of additional subscriptions to the
amount Of about $4,000. and # is not at all
improbable that the fund will eventually
reach the proportion OF $4,000. The orig
inal intention was to raise only a fund
sufficient to pay of the mortgage Of about
$4,000 on the Lawton homestead at Red
lands. Cal, but the generous response to
the appeal encourages the committee 10 be-
lieve that enough money will be subscribed
beyond that sum to place Mrs Law,on
and her children above want for the rest
of their lives.
Secretary Root and Adjutant General Cor
bin sent personal appeals to about 100
bankers and business men in New York.
with the result of a large increase in the
subscriptions to the fund. Although the
contributions from the west have been
comparatively small up to this time, there
is no doubt that the next few days VIII
show 4 liberal response from that quarter,
Subscriptions Assured.
Among those who have promised subscrip-
tiuns are:
William X. Vanderbilt, $1,000: J. Pierpont
Morgan, 81 900; c. p. Huntington, $1,000;
Thomas F. Ryan of New York. 81 o1n, and
Miss Helen Gould. $500. The committee ex-
pects TO receive at least ten subscriptions
of 81 coo each.
Mr.. ]. 1. Buchannon Of Pittsburg tele-
graphed Gen. Corbin this morning that a
public meeting will be held in that city to-
morrow morning for the purpose Of help
ing the fund
Alexander H. Revell Of Chicago reports
that $500 has been subscribed by the mer-
chants of that city, including $50 by Ar
mour & Co.
Gen. Shafter reports that $3.50 has already
been raised by the citizens OF San Fran
cisco.
Gen. Corbin was also informed that the
citizens of St. Louis had subscribed $l.2oo.
Capt Donovan. who was with Gen. Law
ton in the Philippines, has been designated
to take charge of the subscriptions in
Louisville Ky, and the Kansas City Star
has been designated to act as agent OF The
fund in Kansas City.
Checks Received Today.
Among the checks received this morning
were the following: Thomas H. Barber of
New York, 500; Geo. D. Cook of Chicago,
C. Tyler of New London, 500
Mr. James Hoyt of Cleveland sent a let
ter inclosing a check for $50 THE plan"
he says, lis most worthy one, and trust
you will receive liberal responses. l do not
know that l ever gave gift with greater
qualification and willingness than / do this
one"
C. c. Wilgus of Eldred, Kan, sent 81, and
said: Gen. awton was the ideal Ameri-
can fighting officer, and his loss is lnesti-
mable. l am only too glad to do what little
may be in my power to aid the survivors Of
a man whom hold in the highest admira-
ton
William W. webber of Dover. n. H.
wrote: II wish l was able to make It 500
instead of 81, for it could go to no better
cause than to assist the widow of one of
the noblest and bravest men that ever de-
Tended his oountry's flag"
Robert w. King of Charlevoix, Mich
wrote: Gen. Lawton is one whose con-
spicuous bravery and faithfulness in the
war in Cuba and the Philippines have been
untainted with any breath Of scanaal or
anything to detract from his merits n
brave, competent and faithful officer. 1t
seems to me that the citizens Of the coun-
try cannot afford to allow such meritorious
services and splendid example to the youth
Of the country pass unheeded when the op-
portunity is given TO express themselves.
While l expect the government, through
Congress, will take action expressing the
sentiment of the nation at large, yet | think
will feel as l do, the pleasure of giving
their personal testimonial 10 the worth of
this good and true man."
In acknowledging the receipt of contribu-
tions Gen. Corbin said: THE time for
closing the fund has been extended until
the LIST of January. and it is hoped that no
effort Will be spared to make this fund all
that it ought to be. that Mrs. Lawton may
live in comfort and be able TO provide for
and educate her children
Gen. Corbin.s Stateman,
Gen. Corbin made the following statement
for publication today:
Gen. Corbn is gratifed with the gen.
erosity manifested in the subscriptions al
ready received and pledged for the Lawton
fund. The committee having in mind the
expression of Gen. Lawton for the welfare
of his family, as related by Prof. Dean c
Norceste-', member of the United States
commission to the Philippines, when Gen.
Lawton said upon being demonstrated with
against unnecessarily exposing himself in
battle, that L have been a soldier all nv
life and would gladly die soldiers death.
but 1 cannot help thinking what Is in store
for my wife and children should | be taken
away. and l confess this thought weighs
heavily upon me- it is felt that no stronger
appeal than Gen. Lawton's own statement
can be made in behalf OF his widow and
children.
The committee defer to the manifest
wishes, and have determined to continue
the work at least until the ID of January.
when it is hoped that sufficient fund will
have been subscribed TO place the widow
and children of Gen. Lawton beyond the
possibility of want, and enable the mother
to carry out the fathers fondest wishes
that his children should receive a proper
education.
1T is proposed to continue active work In
raising funds during the present week. and
Il is probable that the subscription list will
be kept open until the return of Mrs. Law
ton to this Country.
The total Of the subscriptions received in
W Washington to noon of Christmas day IS
S14, ,329.55."
THE SHIP CONSTITUTION.
Bill to Fit Her Up n Training
Ship.