The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1901-03-28

Hon. John R. Buck appeared before
the committee on interpretations last
week and presented the offer of Radcliffe
Hicks, formerly of Tolland, to endow If
incorporated, the Radcliffe Hicks Indus
trial and Educational Institute at Toll
land. Mr.. Buck, In presenting the mat
ter to the committee, said that Mr.. Hicks
was abundantly able to carry out his
plans as projected. Mr.. Hicks was I'm.
able to be present, owing to illness, but
sent letter to the committee outlining
the scheme, which was read by Mr. Buck,
which In part was as follows:
AS the result of many years of indus
trious application in a professional and
business life, have come into possession
OF what would once have seemed to me
an immense fortune, but trifling In COM
parison with the many millions possessed
by others. The disposition of this prop
erty Is to me serious question, for what
am to do must be done before the Icy
fingers OF death seal forever my earthly
record.
When have been just and generous to
all living persons who have any claim up
ship, there should be, If wisely managed,
large residum, to be either scattered to
the winds, to distant and, to me, un-
known relatives, or to be conserved for
some wise and beneficent purpose. For
this leason I am here to ask the aid of
the general assembly In developing q
plan that may rebound alike to the honor
of the commonwealth we all love so much,
and shall show that my life has not been
spent altogether In vain. 1t Is my idea
to purchase 100 acres, more or less, on
one of the commanding heights in the
town of Tolland, for there was born,
and around that place cling the tenderest
memories of my life.
From those hills you get such view
as Is not to be had from any other spot
In Connecticut. Commencing on the
southern horizon are the hanging hills of
traverses northward you discover the
Talcott mountains, and, as you continue
on, your eye finally rests on the grand
hills OF Berkshire county, 100 miles or
more away, as the crow flies. Coming
back, Mt. Tom looms up In plain view,
while beneath, and still nearer, Is the
glistening dome of this capitol, and the
meanderings of the historic Connecticut
river. Still nearer, at the very base of
these hills, lies nestled as beautiful lake
as your eyes will ever rest upon In all
your travels in foreign lands-Snipsic
lake.
Upon this spot, gentlemen, 1t Is my
pride 10 build cottages, to which the
youth of Connecticut, of both sexes and
without any religious distinctions, may
be invited to come and fit themselves,
without purse, for the arduous struggles
and responsibilities of life. 1t Is my idea
to plan this school after the more sue
cessful manual schools In the United
States, and to fit every boy and girl for
some useful, remunerative occupation or
trade, such as engineering, surveying, ar
chitecture, bookkeeping, type writing,
and SO on up.
1t is dangerous for any man to proph-
esy what the future will bring forth, but
with due modesty may state that hope
this institution may receive an endow-
ment Of not less than 800, 900, possibly
1t may receive 81 ZOO, 600, or more.
This resolution can do no harm;
hope, under kind Providence, 1t may
accomplish much good.
RATCLrFFE HICKS.