The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-26
REUNION OF ATHENIANS.
Mr.. BeatOn Proposes to Give a Great
Feast to Former TownspeopIe.

New York Herald.
Every Athenian-that is, native of
Athens, OILS expected to return home for
a week In June, 1904
If he or she has not money enough to pay
carfare. that difficulty will be overcome:
IL there be not enough means to pay a
weeks board, that is nothing; If a deficit
threatens for incidental expenses that is a
bagatelle-George r. BeatOn has made up
his mind that Athens, O., shall have
home week which will make every New
England city hang its head In envy.
Mr.. Beaton Is now president of the Amer
lean Finance and Securities Company, and
Is reported to be man of considerable
means. He was born In Athens forty-two
years ago, and left there penniless boy to
make his way in life. He wants to gather
UP all his old friends from all ends of the
He doesn't care what IL is going to cost
him. He thinks 1t will be a paying invest
ment. anyhow
Athens. O., is a little town of about $500
Inhabitants. 1t was one of the first settle
ments founded when the pioneers fioated
down the Ohio river in the early days of
the last century Being thrifty and with
the Puritan idea of education, the first
thing they did was TO establish a school.
which to-day Is known the Ohio Uni
versity. Two townships were given for the
support OF the institution. This was i'm
1904 and In the years that have passed the
school has prospered. Three OF the pres
ent bishops OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church were on its rolls: General Grosve-
nor, now representative in Congress, is
another. There are many other men prom
inent in every walk of life that matricu-
lated within its walls.
Mr.. Beatons father was q well-to-do mer-
chant. and the boy. after attending the uni
versity for several years, went to other
institutions until circumstances compelled
him to begin life on his own account. He
began AT the lowest rung or the ladder.
For time ne was an insurance agent:
then he became interested In the political
career OF Joseph Il. Foraker and when the
latter was elected Governor OF the State Mr.
Beaton was appointed TO an office. Later
he was employed by the national commit
tee. and about nine years ago engaged in
the business Of promoting
He has always had a warm spot in his
heart for Athens. o., and when he learned
that the university was to celebrate its CEN
tennial he thought II would be a good idea
10 meet again all his boyhood friends. For
that reason he has determined that all
shall come back. He has formed a COM
mittee OF twenty. the expenses of which he
pays He has announced that every Athe-
MAN within travelling distance OF the little
town is to come home for n week
III there not hotels enough i'm the
town, Mr.. Beaton declares, he will build a
special lodging house. II the merchants
cannot supply food enough there will be
special trains TO bring the provisions. All
is 10 eliminate In "A dinner, at which Mr.
Beaton Is willing that 10000 more shall
sit down. There will be speeches by Mr.
Foraker, General Grosvenor sam" Bright
a famous orator of Ohio. and an alumnue
OF the college: Chaplain McCabe, a bishop
or the Methodist Church. and many Others