The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-01-06


generously offered several years ago to
donate site, but owing to its location
the association could not accept it. In
1908 the first pledge was announced to-
ward this building at meeting of
young men held at the Presbyterian
church. The soliciting committee later
had a continuous performance, for it
took three months to raise the neces-
sary $4,000. The first work of eXca-
waiting began Oct. l4th, 1908, and the
building is now practically completed.
1t represents an investment by the peo-
pie of Mankato in the young manhood
of the city, and stands for the best in
building up the character of the boys.
Mr.. Palmer then handed the key to the
building to Mr.. Willard.
MIR. Willard replied, saying that he
could not express the feeling of pride and
satisfaction that he felt, now that the
building was ready for its work and the
key turned over The association was
started in Mankato in May, 1891, at a
meeting held at the Methodist church.
The following November the rooms were
occupied which are now being vacated.
The late William Francis was one of
those who helped start the association.
He left his home incumbered, and Mr..
Willard asked that at the close of the
$4,000 and the furnishing of the build
ing has been left entirely to it. Mr..
Willard said that he felt satisfaction
that the association now has an equip
ment to help young men. 1t can help
thousands physically, Intellectually and
spiritually. He knew that none pres
ent would refuse to unite in prayer
for the success of the association
Secretary Gran was the next speaker.
He said that the building is only a tool
to do the work, and we should not be
satisfied until we build up an institution
that is a glory to God. We must turn
and study the needs of young men and
boys to make Christian men of them.
We want to develop in this community
the highest type of manhood the world
has ever known. The association will
endeavor to do this in every depart
ment 1t would try to make a strong,
clean, pure temple for their souls, and
socially to keep them away from those
things in our city that drag men and
society down to lower level.
State Secretary Peck congratulated
the audience most heartily on this mag
nifcent building. There is no build
ing equal to it in the country, that cost
the same sum. Not more than two per
cent of the subscriptions will be lost,
while the per centage in other cities has
run as high as twenty-five per cent.
There is $4,000 to be raised here. There
has been no criticism as to the man.
ner in which the money has been spent,
and every dollar has been well spent.
The responsibility now rests on the boys,
and he urged them to join in making up
the deficiency. From moral stand
point and good citizenship, nothing
means as much as the Y M C. A., and
its board ought not to be hampered by
debt.
c. j. Hunt of st. Paul, a member of
the state committee, said that he wished
meeting an offering be made to help
clear up the incumbrance. f. w. Martin
was secretary of the association for nine
years, and A. c. Gran has been secretary
for the past three years. The presidents
of the association have been George Nj
Palmer Dr. G.. ID. Snow, Nelson Weed
George w. Sugden and Mr.. Willard.
Mr.. Willard said that he was proud OF
MIankato, that the citizens have been
able to unite on a thing of this kind
1t is one of the few things that they
have been united on, and it speaks well
for them that they could be united
upon this. 1t was only their being unit
ed that the project could be carried
through. He was proud of the Young
Mems Christian association. Only as an
association has it been able to cope
with evil, even with its meagre equip.
ment, has it been able to get help. He
was proud of the men who have stood
by it when the hours were dark and
money scarce and the association weak
He was proud of the general secretary
who by his untiring efforts, enthusiasm
and ability to reach out and hold onto
young men has made success possible
!, He was proud of the boys who have
been in the work, and who feel that thu
association has helped them to higher
and better things. He was proud of thu
building committee. Few can realiz,
how much work and planning is requir
ed The committee has given literally
of its time, and more has been gotten fol
the money than in almost any other rn