Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-07-25
CAREFUL JACOB S. ROGERS.
feculiarities of the Man WHO Len II
Millions to New York Art.

New York sun.
There was an atmosphere of juhila
tionJin the Metro olitan Museum q
Art Saturday which extended an
\ .parently even to the humblest en-
ployes. Not the least pleased of al
those connected with the institution
which has Just received, by the will Of
the late Jacob S. Rogers, the prncely
endowment of anywhere from S.. GOO, OG(
to SIS OeO,0 O0. was Gen. Louis di Cesnola,
tne secretary OF the corporation and the
director of the museum. He never had
had the remotest suspicion thar the
rather shabby, infinitely inquisitive
little man. who for years back was in
the habit OF coming frequently to the
mussun, had either the POWER, or the
disposition 10 shower millions. lie re-
membered MIR. Rogersgdistinctly az soon
as he read his name in connection with
the great gift 10 the museum remem-
hered him almost solely because he had
become a good deal Of bore lie had
| always supposed him to be some fussy
old chap who had it in mind to give a
Thousand or so dollars TO the Museum
anu was making an AMOUNT of tronhle
ana requiring degree Of attention very
greatly disproportiopate to whatever
the museum ultimately might gain
from him. OF course he always was
treated with the utmost courtesy and
MS micioscoI ically searching questions
as 10 the business management of the
institution invariably were answer ed
with all patience,
Those who knew Mr.. Rogers best be.
lieee that this courtesy and patience
were largely wasted. They believe that
II the old man had had even rather
curt and brusque treatment it would
nave plehsed him quite as well. 1t
would have been all the more evidence
10 MN that there was not the remotest
Suspicion OF the secret intention he
mao oil pouring golden shower upon
tne museum at his death. The same
people are firmly, convinced that had
Mr; Rogers believed anyone had
fathomed the plan he had formed for
the bestowa of his wealth thar verv
TACT would have been sufficient to make
him throw that particular project to
the winds. OF all things, nothing
irritated him more than injuries eyen
OF the most general character, touching
the most commonplace matters con.
nected with his private affairs Ii was
q sort Of mania with him to envslop
himself in AN impenetrabe veil of dark
ness and mystery-a mania, hoWeyer.
which 1t is not believed will cut yery
much of figure in any effort 10 break
the will on the theory that he was of
unsound mind
SO year after year old Mr.. Rogers
kept on bothering General ii CesnoIa
with frequent visits to the museum,
eneh visit meaning a long talk on the
purely business features OF the instjtu.
ton. lie never was known to look
through the fine collections or to ask
about them or TO manifest any interest
IN them. But he wantad to know all
ABOUT now the business end of the con-
Germ was conducted and who conducted
IT.. lie would pick up the catalogue of
the museum and turn at once TO the |
list OF the board of trustees, which he |
would scan infinitely, picking out q |
name here and there--always the name
oil soTe one conspicuous for business
ask il that person ynye |
any attention to the affairs of the
According to his housekeeper, "Mr.
Rogers was generous, even priucely, in
his giving when he was led by his
Judgment to give anything. OF course
ne did not give to every charity indis-
but | knew when be- took
an interest in anything he gave hand
somely. Seven or eight years ago he
happened to be at the Five Points in
New forB, and saw a number of chill.
1ren with their faces fiattened against
me windows of toy shop. it was
christmas time. Mr.. Rogers ,stopued
and looked Mt them. Have you had
my christmas presents, children?' he
asked. II answered in one voice.
NO, Sir. DO you want any?, he
asked. Yes, they all shouted. Mr..
Rogers took the children into tho toy
Ihop and told them to pick out any
hing they wanted, There we're about
70 OF them, and they all went home
with bundles of Christmas presents.
1t was the same with any of his
friends children. Many time | have
heard him say, Il don't knoy what to
'uy those children for Christmas, and
10 would take them to the shop him.
elf, and tell them to pick out what
LEASED them, and he would pay for it.
anything in the store they could have. ),
very often he would sit at his desk
or hours writing steadily. She never
NV hlm read hook. He disliked any
ming that savored of ceremony. About
wo years ago he called on Robert S,
hughes, the president of the Rogers
locomotive Company, who was on his
leath bed. The domestic who answered
ne door did not know Mr.. Rogers, and /.
he asked him for his card. Impatientiy
rushing tho girl aside, he walked
Ipstairs to the sick room.
Fob" he said, you are star ting
o put ON airs. That girl at the door
eked me for my card =
Mr.. Rogers leaves three collie dogs
I which be was very fond. They are
AIMED Napoleon, which was his a