The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-08-02


esquieu," the "Rousseau" and the
"V oltaire.'
In June, 1911, he bought the United
States Bank building, and set up as a
private banker. He was successful
and the business funds were in short
time transferred to his charge and for
more than nineteen years he continued
in this responsible position. When he
died, on December. Goth, 1881, at the
advanced age of 80, the bank was in
excellent condition. At the time o
his death he was one of the richest
men in the country, his fortune amount
ing to seven millions and half. He
gave $2,OOO,OOO for the erection and
endowment of the college for the edu
cation of fatherless orphans; S5O0,OOC
to tie city Of Philadelphia for the i'm
provement of the city front; $500, ,OO(
to the State of Pennsylvania; 10000
to his relatives, and SIG, 900 to insti
tutions of charity in and about Phila
delphia.
In the great Corinthian temple
known as the main building, statute
of Stephen Girar'l in pure Italian mar
BILE fronts the marble sarcophagus il
which rests his remains On the base
of this statue are the words in raiset
letters: "Who originated and endowed
this college,
Over this statue on Founders Day
were l.laced by the alumni American
Beauty roses, one hundred and fifty
one in number, and as early as min.
o'clock in the morning members of tn.
alumni assembled in the grounds, whicl
are magnificent in their setting o
flowers, ferns and palms.
Girard originally intended that til,
college should be built upon the square
bounded by Eleventh and Twelfth
Chestnut and Market streets, but after
ward he purchased the farm of Pee
Hall, consisting of forty five acres, OF
Ridge road, and here the ground wa:
broken for the purpose on May 9th
1888. The architect was Thomas U
Walters. The corner stone was laiG
July 4th, 1888, the ceremonies fitting
and impressive.
With coins, newspapers, &c, place.
in the corner stone was also a marbl,
bust of the great founder, executed by
David Grey Wilson, the materna
uncle of the writer He was then 8
lad of sixteen, learning the trade o
| stone cutting with Sailor & Schell
Evincing unusual talent, he was in
duced to compete with older and dis
tinguished sculptors. Persicot, th,
Italian sculptor, was the judge, ant
| David q. Wilson's work was accepted
as the best. The Councils afterwart
gave him a course in drawing and pre-
sented him with a box of instruments 5
The main cditice and outbuilding
were completed and transferred to til,
directors November 18th, ls47, four
teen years and six months being oc
cupied in the execution of the work
The cost was 81 ,933,s2l.
The college was opened January lst
lS4S, with one hundred students
Hon. Joel Jones was the first presi
dent. In lS49 Judge Jones resigned
and William II. Allen, LII. D, wa:
elected to succeed him. Judge Allen
after many years, was succeeded by
Prof. a. H. Fetterolf, of the Andalusi.
Academy.
At the present time there are 1,4S1
students in the college, of which mum
Der 600 are from the State, 6G3 outsid,
of the old city of Philadelphia, and l2t
from the city.
Founders Day brings together many
eminent men, who show what the IN
stitution has accomplished. Among
wcll-known members of the alumni ar,
James II. Windrim, ex-dircctor of th,
Board of Public Work; ex, City Treas
urcr, Frank F. Bell; ex-Clerk of the
Orphans Court, William f. Littleton
ex-City Recorder of Altoona, Edwin
II. Amics, and Robert j. johnson
president of the alumni, secretary ant
Treasurer of the Disston works.
No ecclesiastic, missionary or min
ister of any sect whatsoever shall hole
or exercise any station or duty in sale
college, not because Girard objected tt
persons or sects. but that the tender
minds of the orphans should not be ex
cited by clashing doctrines or sectariar
controversy.
Girard College stands forth befor,
the world as an institution in whicl
the students are the guests of Stepher
Girard. The word charity is mis-
nomer, and does not apply to til,
benevolencc of this man whose mOnu
mcnt will stand forevcr-A. Il. +. n.
IN Nsnt"mn ".) Enterprise.
Mamma Willie, shut that window
screen. You're letting the flies in
Willie-"WelI, you've got to le,
some of them in
Mamma Why?'
Willie-"Cause if you don't let EN-
in, how are they goin to get on the