The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-07
SITE FOR COLLEGE.
Methodist University May Be at
Gage Park.

A proposition for the location of the
Methodist university, for the founding
OF which Mrs; Eliza Chrisman left her
fortune of 100000. upon a tract of
ground. adjoining Gage Park. will be
determined upon within the next
month. II the plans now in conten-
plation can be carried out the univer-
slty will ba built on a site overlooking
the city of Topeka and about. one mile
outside its present limits. The Topeka
Railway company is said 10 have al
ready agreed to construct car line
which will give service to the school
and to the locality around it, Henry w.
McAfee, q prominent stock breeder,
whose farm: les just beyond, is head
ing the movement to place the school
on the Gage property and has already
discussed the matter with Rev. A. S.
Embree. executor of the Chrisman
estate. Mr.. Embree has declined to
give an opinion, as no definite pro9osi-
ton has baen made to him.
The ground in question is the prop
erty or Norris L. Gage, a brother of the
late G. O. Gage, of Topeka, the donor
of the so acres between West Sixth and
West Tenth streets known as Gage
Park. The Norris l. Gage property
lies Just west and was formerly a part
of the same tract. It consists of 30
acres: Speaking of the probability of
securing the ground Mr.. McAfee said:
Mr.. Gage will be in Topeka within
the coming month and at that time we
VIII come to a definite understanding
upon the price at which the ground can
be secured. Mr.. Gage will make only
a nominal price for the ground. OF that
am assured. The residents in the
vicinity are very anxious to have the
school located there and will furnish
the location free of charge. I do not
know how Mr. Esmbree is succeeding
with the work of increasing the fund
left by Mrs. Chrisman. have no con-
nectlon with that part of the enter
prise. l am interested in the matter
/ n <N(4 IL
| of Gage park and can think of no more
suitable place for the school
"One OF the most important consid-
erations in the whole proposition is
that 1T VIII give US street car service
l have consulted with the officials of
the city railway who tell me that they
will stand ready to extend the asylum
line to Gage park whenever the school
is assured for that location. The pro-
perty in question extends south from
Sixth to Tenth street and directly Joins
the Gage park on the west. There was
40 acres in the original tract owned
by the Gage estate. Eighty of that
has since been dedicated to the city for
park purposes. From the ground an
excellent view of the whole city can
be obtained. The institution would be
a desirable acquisition to our neighbor-
hood and all the people in the vicinity
will work to get it,"
The site for the new Methodist uni
versity will probably not be determined
upon for some time to come. DR.. A. S.
Embree, to whom Mrs. Chrisman en-
trusted the work of raising funds for
the school is now engaged in it. The
| location of the buildings is not likely
| to be chosen until the entire endow-
ment has been secured as some of the
future requests may be involved by
stipulations on this subject. Should the
Gage property, which is very desirable,
| be donated to the university it is very
likely that it would be used for it's To-
| cation