New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-30
ABNER W. COLGATE
His Interest in Astronomy, Water Color
Painting and Architecture.

To tie Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: The daily press has duly noted tho sudden
death. on the Goth inst. q Abner W. Colgate, IN
Pasadena Cal. where for several seasons past, his
health being delicate. he had sought retreat from
the rigorous winter Of our North Atlantic Eeaboard
But IL occurs TO the present writer that the rea-
uves and friends who had such good reason 70 love
and esteem him must feel that his memory de-
serves something than the merest outline oc
his too brief career. the moro as his prevailing
nodes;y and his quiet manner were apt 90 prevent
his merits from being appreciated by the majority
OF those having simply casual relations with him.
Retiring early from commercial pursuits. no
found IN private life the leisure favorable sys-
tematc methods q charity and other well doing
and for the cultivation and enjoyment Of his artls-
tic predictions and public spirit. as well As for
occasional contributions 'to the press IN behalf OF
the current interests o. tho community IN various
fields. Greatly Interested IN astronomy. he hli.t
al tho country house where 10 and Mrs. Colgate
gave their friends so hosItahle a welcome VOL
arranged observatory. supplying Il with telescope
powerful enough 20 give him fun opportunity for
close study Of tho consultations. and Tor noting
those periodical movements Of TIE ornamental
bodies which carry conviction 20 the mind OF tho
scientific observer that order 70 heavens first
law"
In those nner arts which End their manifesto
ton IN plastic and graphic rendering Mr. Colgate
was no less home. As "a water colorist he ex-
celed and ~ earlier years his Ii.ture7 were occN-
sl0uallv public exhibition His work I'M me
medium OF water C0iUTr Hlll4F WEfU architect
ure Was their subject. elected the admiration alike
q professional artists and OF amateurs. and he IN
tr0duced ia the hail and sta rHay ~ A-s house lu
town "a me example OF PompcIaa decoration. nor
his knowledge OF architecture .n1nucd simply
the dedication az IT'S surface development. as
found in executed work. lie made a deSlgu-uevrr
shown except privately TO a few fucuds-for the
"natir0n" building. which. in execution would nave
been infinitely more Pheasant t. the eye Than me
wedge shaped and hurricane breeding structure
the production OF which ITS architect was doubt
lees driven hy the necessity Of yielding Co Als client
possible square inch Of floor space 20 secure
adequate return IN rent, ana so make his invest
ment profitable. So, TOO, at the Uuc of the i1-l
OF the Campanua di san Marco. i'm Venice. th-
writer hereof was struck Ug diagram prepared
by Mr. Colgate for Ais Inspection, and covering
certain features or interior construction designed
10 prevent any possible recurrence, trom causes
within the proposed new structure itself. OF ca
lamity everywhere oe9lored. that he introduced
the designer and his project. as set forth In said
diagram ana its accompanying descriptive text TO
tho architect charged with the restoration Of the
famous tower.
such lie as Mr.. Colgate led tends strongly, not
only the bettormout of ones SELF and ones neigh
b1Ts but that % ones entire community, cspe-
ciaIlv "A community intent q the piluE
up material wealth. affOrGinE. 10 does. quiet
but steaGfasr example OF what. ia the private
walks OF life CouGurr- Go tho advancement OF
civilization in its its best aspects. a. j. Il.
New-Gork. March =, l+Ji-