Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-08-24
AN OFFER OF $1,000
Made TO the People OF Martins
burg by an Unknown Friend
Fo7 A LIBRARY BUILDING,

D. Baker, il, the Offer, With the
Provision That the Citizens
Raise $4,000 and Pro-
cure Site.
Mr.. ID c. Westenhaver. the Presi-
dent of the Martinsburg Public Lib
rnrv Association, has received through
Mr.. Newton d. Baker. jr., who is now
practicing law in Cleveland, O., an
offer to the people Of Martinsburg Of
S.. 600 from an unknown lady IN that
CITY, to be used in the erection OF a
building for the Public Library. The
offer is made with the provision that
a site can be procured without cost
and the sum Of 5000 raised in the city
of Martinsburg,
Farther than this there are no re-
stricttons upon her gift, except that
the sum Of SO eGe be used in the con
.structian of the building and in the
equipment of its heating apparatus
and the further condition that at least
so far as the contribution to the en-
tire fund is concerned, it shall be per-
petualiy free Public Library.
THE LETTER.
Following is Mr. Bakers letter in
full:
Cleveland, Ohio, Aug. Is, 1901.
ID. c. Westenhaver,
Martinsburg,
West Virginia.
My dear Mr.. Westenhaver -
"A fraend of mine who is unknown
AN Martinsburg and does not desire
iner name known in the matter,
wishes me to make the following
proposition TO the people of Martins
burg:
III site can be procured without
cost and the srl OF 5000 aised in
the City of Martinsburg and the
County Of Berkeley. whether by midi
vidual subscription or from the public
treasury, for the erection OF suitable
building for Public Library ut that
place, she will contribute the sum of
50, 900 in cash towards thar project
She wishes TO place no restrictions
whatever upon he gift excepr that the
entire fund OF $40, 600 shall be used in
the construction OF the byilding and
IN the equipment of it with suitable
heating apparatus. and the further
condition that az least so far rs
her contribution to the entire |
fund is concerned it shall be pepetu-
ally free public library. This gift is
available at once or will be paid in /
such installments as may seem wisest
within . rariod Of two years, if the
accumulation of the other 5000 and |
the site are assured
AIwu0ld like to have YOU law this !
before the Board of Trustees Of the /
Library and communicate with me at
your earliest convenience whether or
not it seems possible that this gift
may be accepted
Very truly yours,
Newton d. Baker.
The IN east of every true hearted,
public s,Er tied citizen will swell with |
a feeling N intense gratitude and |
pride after rsadipg the above letter |
in wnioh the liberal offer is made.
Mr.. Newton D. Baker, jr,, through |
whom the offer is made. has always |
been one of the staunchest friends OF |
'5he Martinsburg Public Library. 1t
was he who first conceived the idea OF
organizing Public Library Associa-
ton in Martinsburg and it is to him,
probably more than to anyone else
the citizens of Martlnsburg are IN ,
,lebted for the establishment. of that /,
worthy Institution.
Nho the unknown friend is no one |
in Martmsburg has any idea. 1t Is
staceo in the letter that she Is IN
known in Martinsburg. Whether her /
name be known or unknown, her
liberal doiotion will forever be re-
membered in the city of Martins
burg.
1t lsnyw the duty Of the citizens
SO carry out the provisions connected
with the offer. If they do their part
Martin burg will in Il very short
xinae have g home for her public lib
gary thatwill be ornamental as well as
useful to the city.
Let those that are able show the
proper public spirit.