The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-21

Standing as a memorial 10 BONA lHoinP-
son, of the class of 81, Butler College is
now in possession of one of the finest IL
brary buildings in the State-the Bona
Thompson Memorial library. The building,
which was donated to the college by Mr..
and Mrs. E. c. Thompson, parents of Bona
Thompson, has been in course Of construc-
ton for the past year and was just re-
Gently completed.
Yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock the
formal dedication of the library was held
in the library building at the corner or
University and Downey avenues in Irving
ton. Many friends of the college and the
Thompson family were present at the exer-
cises. Dedicatory addresses were delivered
by Scot Butler. president of the college;
Hon. Addison C. Harris, president of the
board of directors of the University of In
dianapolis; Hilton u. Brown, president of
the board of directors of Butler College;
Andrew M. Sweeney. president of the
Board of School Commissioners, and Mayor
John w. Hoffman.
Miss Bona Thompson, to whom the Ii
brary is dedicated, was a student in Butler
College. graduating with the class of 1897.
Shortly after her graduation she went
abroad, where she contracted typhoid fever,
which resulted in her death Her parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Thompson, were much de-
voted to their daughter and decided that
the most hitting monument to her life
would be library. Both parents took
much consolation in the building of the
editice and spent great deal of their time
before the completion of the building, both
Mr.. and Mrs Thompson died. Their plans
were carried out under the management
or the directors of the college.
PRESIDENT BUTLER SPEAKS.
The exercises yesterday were opened by
dedicatory remarks by President Scot But
Ter, who said in part: 1--WE come to-day to
here enshrine, as on an altar builded well,
the will beneficient Of one, the last best pur-
pose of whose life is this. Come then in
holy fear and with a heart Of love and know
that here within these solid walls, in cover
of this vaulted roof purpose henceforth
dwells that under God shall fail not. a pur-
pose touching not alone the life of which we
now make part, but bringing blessing too
TO other lives in other years, a purpose
vaulted by the sky and reaching wide as
world walls.
Remember too, her whose name parental
love does here commemorative promise OF
her youthful years, the unspoiled spirit of
her early womanhood-the tragedy of her
dying, the trail of blessing that as IL an
angel flight she leaves behind, and pray
that in this house builded of mems hands
to be stored with garnered thoughts of our
humanity, may ever dwell such soul of truth
and purity as among the children of the
earth, the heart of maidenhood best knows
L speak for the donors of this gift, who
among men, themselves may speak not any
word, and so speaking / say: to the pur-
pose for which by it's donors IL was designed
and To the memory of their daughter be-
loved. this house is and henceforth shall be
dedicate
The address presenting the building to
Butler College on behalf of the Thompson
family was made by Hon. Addison c. Har-
ris. He said in part:
1.-The pleasant privilege has come to me
TO present this beautiful structure to you
1t is fitting gift prompted by the purest
motives. and for the noblest purpose-a be-
stowal by father and mother in memory
to their daughter-to her alma mater II
Is gift that seemed to Edward and MARY
Thompson, and seems to every one. as the
best expression of a lasting tribute to the
memory of Bona Thompson.
The written book with intelligent people
is the truest preserver of great thoughts
and noble acts. No statue or picture OF
Homer, or Cicero, or Milton, or Shakespeare
fills the mind with the sweet delight which
thrills us as We read their lines and refiec
tons. And when the best thoughts of the
best men are placed in daily reach of the
living benefit is bestowed wider in scope
and better in effect than in any other man
ner.
A FITTING MEMORIAL.
This building is suited to it's purpose II
every way. 1T Is mt companion of the
college to which ii is given, and of which
it becomes a part. Beautiful in its design:
and generous and holy in it's purposes, thi.
library is as q bride to Butler College. TIL,
foundations of the college were laid half {
century ago by the founder in a cemen
unmixed with any selfish dross. Many mel
and many women have been helped to bette
lives through the helpfulness which it af
fords. This library in many ways adds I,
its usefulness. The life that 1t common
crates will be known to all the student
that come here and will shed a constant anC
pure light by which they may safely guide
their feet along the paths of their lives.
The gift of these donors stands as an in
structive example of how men and womel
may bestow the fruits OF their labors anC
help the generations now and to come t
happier and better living. And now, mem
bers of the board, take this noble gift, keel
il and use ii for the purposes for which 1T il
given; and the name of Bona Thompson viii
never tarnish. and the last and noblest gif
of her father and mother will stand as
memorial OF their love for their daughter
and for the college. it's books. its associa
tions and it's opportunities. which she love-
only less than she loved those who CAV
her life. And in the keeping of this trus
may the blessings OF heaven shine upon thi
college and this library forever.
Hilton L. Brown responded TO Mr.. Har