The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-01-26
Y. M. c. A. BUILDING
Liberal Proposition Of the Big
Four Railroad Co.
The Cordial Cooperation of Our
Citizens Asked.

| provement made here, every additional
building erected, is another anchor
cast, to hold these shops, and the good
will of the Railroad company.
AS the shops draw many men and
families here, we are interested in
their happiness, comfort and welfare.
| The benefcent influence of Young
Mems Christian Association rooms, over
those connected with railroads and
shops, is everywhere recognized, and
Mr.. Ingalls,, the president of the Chesa-
peake & Ohio and Big Four systems,
has given substantial aid and encour-
agement along these lines to the Y. M.
C. A., and considers it money well in
vested.
1t has been rumored for some time,
that a Y. M. c. A. building would be
erected on the Big Four system at
this point, and that the Big Four would
give it substantial encouragement. The
time has now come for this movement
to start, and Mr.. E. L. Hamilton, of
Chicago, one of the railroad Secretar-
les of the Y. M. G. A., is in our city, to
seek the cooperation of our citizens.
Mr.. Oscar Cotton, who has been iden-
titled with the Y. M. c. A. work in
several States, writes us as follows of
Mr.. Hamilton and his work:
fr LoRAIN, O., Jan. %, 1900.
Mr.. J. Q. A. Campbell, Editor Bellefontaine
REPrRIICAN:
Dear Mr.. Campbell:-Thisw will intro
duce Mr.. E. L. Hamilton, of Chicago,
one of the Railroad Secretaries of the
International Committee.
1 believe that the project which Mr..
Hamilton is about to launch in Belle
fontaine has in it one of the. greatest
possibilities as regenerating influence
that has ever been undertaken in the
city. 1 know that it will be power in
counteracting the attractiveness of the
saloons.
The one thing needful is the hearty
cooperation of the christian people.
Owing to lack of knowledge of the
kind of work done in the railroad asso-
Citations, fear that it will not be an
easy task. I feel sure that you can do
a great deal to create a healthy senti-
ment, and give Mr.. Hamilton aid that
will be invaluable.
had anticipated spending few days
in the canvass myself, but am prevent
ed by the serious illness of our little
boy. Yours Truly,
| O. G. COTTON.
| Mr.. Hamilton bears with him letter
from Mr.. Ingalls,, in which he states
that the Big Four will bear half the
expense of erecting three story Y. M.
c. A. Building here, if our citizens will
raise the money to pay the other half
by the first of April. The railroad,
after the building is erected, will heat
it, and furnish light and water free, so
that it would pay its own expenses.
A plat of the building contemplated,
provides for reading room, lunch room,
Kitchen and other conveniences on the
first-foor, bath rooms and other con-
veniences in the basement, number OF
small bedrooms on the third floor, etc.,
etc. Lunches, beds, baths, and read
ing, will be furnished at a nominal fee,
and the building will be veritable
home for the railroad men, who work
in the shops or belong to the crews Of
the road.
1t will be good Samaritan resort
where they can find rest, recreation,
reading, baths, good beds, and society
and will not have to hunt up saloon:
where they will be tempted to drink
The opportunity offers to do good
work; let every good citizen hearth!
cooperate in securing a thing so desir
able, and that promises so much good
, to a worthy class of our fellow men.