The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-09
OF the small enterprise which began or
the Duke farm in 1856.

OF the small enterprise which began on
the Duke farm In 1856.
HIS SONS.
Mr.. Duke himself gives much credit
for his success to the efforts Of his
sons. These gentlemen have been very
active business men. When they arrived
at maturity their father offered to TT
them for professional lives, II they de-
sired it: but they chose business careers.
They had begun In their childhood IN
the enterprise. They had loved It With
an enthusiasm born out OF their boy
hood struggles No other kind OF life
seems so attractive to them as the glory
OF building the Duke enterprise up TIL It
filled the full measure Of Its opportunity
in the world. Thus deeply had. their
father instiiled' into their natures the
pride Of the common undertaking
Mr.. Duke has ever been benevolent
man. It has been a. part OF. his religion
to help needy ones according 70 his
ability. He has always sought to avoid
public displays in his gifts. Besides the
great gifts he has made, as those to edu-
cation. he has given numerous sums to
struggling young men, to unfortunate
men and women OF every kind. and about
these the public has received no intimn-
ton. Thrift In others has always won
his sympathy. OF his life he once said:
~ never paid interest on money. never
went in debt 10 such an extent that u
could not pay when the time came. II IS
paying interest that ruins most men
that fall
Although a Democrat before the war,
he has been a Republican since that
event He himself accounted for his
change on the ground that he believed.
on the return OF peace, that the policy
of Internal improvements which the Re
publicans advocated was best calculated
to advance the Interests OF the South
HIS change was certainly not due totany
selfish consideration; for he has never
sought Office or taken an active part III
party politics.
Ia a a GREAT SORROW.
Into Mr.. Dukes life there fell, In 1888,
a great sorrow. It wa the death OF his
only daughter. About the time when he
removed to Durham she had married
Robert 3. Lyon, OF that place. But no tie
ever separated her from her father.
When she died the light went out Of
her ia Their life: for she was almost his
idol.
within the last decade Mr., Duke has
become widely known as one, OF tho
south.s greatest philanthropistsF This
has come about throughEhiss large gifts
to Trinity College. Ins1ss0 it, was de-
cided 70 move Trinity, which belonged to
the Methodsts OF the State, from its
old home in Randolph county. Mr.. Duke
offered to give SIS, 600 Il It was brought to
Durham. The offer was accepted. but
when college opened It's doors in Hs new
home in 1888 It was found that hes had
greatly exceeded the amount ne had
promised. His whole tributlon was
sic. 900. In 1895 he gave 800, 900 to the en-
gdowment fund. on condition that women
should be admitted. In 1888, and again in
1900 he gave a like sum to the same
fund. These gifts. with others which
I have not mentioned. bring his benevo-
lences to this institution till 1904 up to
the sum Of $50 900. Besides his gifts to
Trinity. he has given generously to other
educational Institutions. In 1892 he paid
the debt on and acquired the ownership
OF Louisburg Female College, at Louis,
burg, N. C. It was an old and useful
seat OF learning and the generous action
OF Mr. Duke saved It from having to
close its DOORS IN 1898 he further showed
1 his Interest in education by giving tho
land and a handsome building for the
establishment OF the Southern Conserva-
tory OF Music In Durham. The marked
success or this Institution has justified
a the gift.
In his prime Mr.. Duke had the appear
ance of, a man OF great physical strength.
He was about six feet tall with q large
frame and a deep chest. He walked with
Arm and deliberate stride. He spoke
without excitement or passion. His face
was characterized by a broad forehead,
strong, grey eyes, a firm chin and mouth,
and the general air OF man who had
perfect control over himself. He lived
regularly and temporarily, preserving tho
fine physique which nature had given
him. s