Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-16
MRS. STANFORD'S
REQUEST IS READ.
CORNER STONE OF LIBRARY
BUILDING LAID
SPECIAL BOOK FUND CREATED
Sum Estimated at One Million Dollars
to Be Raised From Sale Of Benz
efaotress' Private
Jewels
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Cal,
May. 15.-The corner stone of the new
SsOO,OOO library building at Stanford uni
versity was laid today with appropriate
and impressive ceremonies. The prin-
cipal feature of the exercises was the
reading Of the late Mrs. Stanford's s
speech by Alexander Sheriffs of San
Jose, winner of the Carnot medal In the
last debate with the University of Cali
fornia. This address was written by
Mrs. stanford just before she sailed for
Honolulu. and was her last official COM
munication to the faculty and students
of the university. 1t was her express
wish that it be kept from publication
until the exercises.
One part of the address came as a
surprise to every one connected with
the university, and that was the estab-
lshment of an endowment fund for the
purchase of books for the library. This
fund, which Is estimated at S1,00O,0OO
is to be raised from the proceeds of
the sale of Mrs. Stanford's private jew
els.
1t had always been supposed that
these jewels were disposed of in order
to raise money for the erection of the
Stanford Memorial church. but it now
develops that Mrs. Stanford obtained
other money for that purpose and kept
;,,
the present endowment for books. The
income from this endowment will be
sufficient to purchase about 10000 new
volumes for the library each year.
The program of ceremonies included
the laying of the corner stone by
Charles NJ. Lathrop, brother of Mrs.
Stanford and treasurer of the univer-
sity; addresses by President David
Starr Jordan. Melvin G.. Dodge, Ii
brarian of the university; the Rev.
Cecil M. Marrack. representing the
alumni; D. D. Sales and A. r. Fletcher,
representing the students, and the
reading of Mrs. Stanford's address by
Alexander Sheriffs, who was personally
selected for the honor by Mrs. STAN
ford.
Tells the Story of the Gift
After some remarks upon the needs
and uses Of the library Mrs. Stanford
told the story of the gift of her jewels
as a contribution to the cause in the
following words: ~
Before 1 close 1 wish to tell you
I have already made provision for
the future growth of the library, by
the following arrangement made with
the board Of trustees:
"On May 81, 1890, 1 granted, as
signed, transferred and conveyed to the
trustees of the Leland Stanford, jr.,
university, subject to certain terms and
conditions set forth in the instrument
conveying the same, all my jewels, con-
sIsting of diamonds, rubes, emeralds
and other precious stones, and directed
that the proceeds of the sale of said
jewels, or so much thereof as might
be necessary, be used in payment for
the erection and completion of the
memorial church then about to be
started
Excepting such as were sold or 9TH
erwise disposed of prior to the first day
of June, 1903, said jewels We're deliv-
cred to the board. I was subsequently
enabled to erect the memorial without
the necessity of resorting to the sale
Of these jewels.
I'm view of these facts and of my in
terest in the future development of the
university library, I have now request
ed the trustees to establish and main
tain a library fund, and upon the sale
Of said jewels after my departure from
this life | desire that the proceeds
therefrom be paid into said fund, and
be preserved intact and invested in
bonds or real estate as a part of the
capital of the endowment, and that the
income therefrom be used exclusively
for the purchase of books and other
publications.
Will Be Known as the Jewel Fund
II desire this fund to be known and
designated as the Jewel fund.
lHSiS mas bSSil SlSdbSu hpldlJ
committee of the board of trustees,
under the supervision of which ali
such purchases should be made.
1T is to give you pleasure tell you
the story of the Jewel fund
God bless you all is ever my prayer
for l we'll know prayer is the key that
unlocks the doors of heaven to us all.
Signed. JANE L. STANFORD"
The address was dated San Fran
cisco, Cal, Feb. IA. 1906" week before
her departure for Honolulu.