New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-03
"TOMBS ANGEL" MEMORIAL
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SENDS CHECK
TO FUND FOR TRIBUTE TO
MRS. FOSTER.

President Roosevelt was one of the first con-
tributors to the fund for erecting monument TO
Mrs. Rebecca Salome Foster. known the
Tombs Angel" The check was accompanied by
this note:
Ny Dear Captain Goddard
monument TO Mrs Foster II is very real pleas
L ITe 10 TESTIFY even In so small a way to her work
Faithfully yours. THEODORE ROOSEVELT
The movement to erect memorial to Mrs. Fos-
ter. whose useful life probation officer was
ended by her tragic death in the recent fire in the
Park Avenue Hotel is the expression Of a feeling
among those best acquainted with her work The
justices of the Court of SPECIAL Sessions where
Mrs. Foster did much of her work; the District
Attorney Of the County of New-York and others
who in contact with Mrs Foster officially, as
well many prominent citizens, feel that public
expression should be given of the publics indebted
and gratitude to Mrs. Foster. and accordingly
the trustees Of the City Club instructed the mu-
ncipa government committee of the club to make
appeal for popular subscription, which shall
be used In erecting in the Criminal Courts Build
ing a memorial of Mrs. Fosters work.
Inc committee therefore, makes such appeal
and hopes that the amount contributed will be
large enough 10 provide a dignifed and beautiful
work of art which shall ftly p"rpetuate the mem
ory OF Mrs. Foster.
Eugene 4. Philbn, former District Attorney
+. Norton Goddard esq
My Dear Sir; I understand that you are acting
n
Foster. The sense obligation Mrs Foster for
administration Of the office Of District Attorney Of
this county impels Il TO write you in hearty in
amount of the inclosed check. have been for
some in close association with charitable en-
terprises and with people whose principal object in
life dmelioTate the conditions Of their less
% He Great Tue OF Se by f
is not due merely TO sentiment but TO a keen APP
judges and the District Attorney In their prosecu-
uoa OF me criminal cannot from Ine nature OF Lne
circumstances. DO anything toward inspiring sin
cere repentance and aspirations for better life.
forcenent of the law For many years Mrs. Foster
supplied the defect that thus existed and It IS no
sands that have been saved from a criminal career
through her fundamentally. II was Mrs. Fosters
practice 10 visit the prisons and the Tombs and In
quiet tInaggressive manner appeal 10 the better
feelings OF the inmates Although herself OF high
social standing. she was able to have thorough
sympathy not only for the unfortunate circum-
stances that caused imprisonment. but also 10
the environment whence the prisoner came This
was able to at once exercise the influence which
superior person always possesses %nd at the same anne
caused the subject OF her charity 10 give her the
tact performing such mission might cause 70 be
engendered feeling Of resentment against the law
those " HON she helped had not only high respect
for the law but also a realization that they We're
simply suffering the natural consequences or the
GiSarsd from any other that have ever known In
that although great volume of work was accom-
pjished practically no part OF the funds furnished
from time TO time by Mrs. Fosters friends was
used in the expenditure OF salaries or other items
but the money supplied was used almost excIu-
stvalv for the aid the unfortunate.
Although the project would have sufficient
.ounds for earnest support for the erection OF n
memorial in testimony Of the gratitude OF the
Community TO Mrs. Foster for the great good she
boe done vet there IA another aspect which should
also cause # to be heartily Endorsed; and that Is
that such a memorial will always serve as re-
hinder that the unfortunate cannot be reclaimed
from a life Of crime simply by the enforcement of
the law No one of charitable instincts VIII be
able TO look upon 1t and not have the desire IN
snred 10 emulate the example OF the "Tombs
Angel and render aid 10 his weaker fellow men
Yours respectfully, EUGF-Nf@ A TIlll-hl>'
William NJ X Olcott also a former District At
tornev and William Travers Jerome District At
tornev wrote in similar terms and inclosed checks
Checks should be made payable to Norton God
dard treasurer, No. 9S to l02 Bleecker-st., New
York City, and will be promptly and gratefully
acknowledged.
The committee in charge is composed Of:
Thomas r. Sliccr, Chairman. John NicOlSOn, ir.
Norton Goddard. Treasurer. James w. Pryor.
Charles L. Blaney. Wilson NJ Powell
Ell Whitney Blake. James Il. Reynolds.
ATapl