The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-02-17
BUYS HARVARD HOME /: { i /:
HISTORIC RESIDENCE NOW PROP
ERTY OF CHICAGO MAN.
Euilt in 1895 at stratford-on-Avon,
England, by the Grandfather Of the
Founder of Harvard University, May
Be Made American Clubhouse.

Edward Morris of Chicago has be-
come the owner of the Harvard home
stead at Stratford-on-Avon, England,
father of John Harvard, who founded
Harvard university Marie Corelli,
the English novelist, acted as Mr.. Nor
ris' agent, and the price paid is said
10 have been close to $4,000.
If Mr.. Morris accepts the suggestion
Of Miss Corelli, who urged him to pur-
chase the property, he will convert it
into a clubhouse for the accommodate
ton and entertainment of the, thou
sands of Americans who annually
make pilgrimage to the birthplace OF
Shakespeare.
The quaint old dwelling in High
street, not far from the birthplace of
the poet, long has been one of the
principal objects of interest at STRAIT
ford. and it's purchase by Mr.. Morris
has attracted considerable attention in
England
It is the intention of Mr.. Morris to
restore the house to its original pic
turesqueness. Some parts Of it need
repairs, though the facade, which is
it's more interesting portion, on &C.
count of the elaborate carving, is in a
remarkably good state of preservation,
MIR. Morris says.
Bought in Curious Way.
Mr.. Morris purchased the property
in a curious way. He and Mrs. Morris
and Miss Corelli and several others
were the guests of Sir Thomas Upton
on a yachting cruise. Off the south
coast Of England, and it was then that
Miss Corelli made the suggestion:
1T would be fine thing if some rich
American would establish a clubhouse
at Stratford-on-Avon for his country
men,"
The suggestion grew on the Chicago
packer, and when he and Mrs. Morris
visited the birthplace of Shakespeare,
and he learned that Harvard house
was for sale, he asked Miss Corelli if
she could not make arrangements for
him to become the purchaser.
Stratford is dear to the heart of the
author, and her strong protests
against a suggestion that once was
made by Americans for the purchase
of Shakespeare's home are remem-
bered, but Mr.. Morris proposition de-
lighted her. She not only consented
to act as his agent, but she arranged
all the details of the purchase.
Lacks Modern Improvements.
The house has no modern improve
ments, and probably it would be diff
cult to find a tenant for it if it were
standing in America.
One of the Stratford historians de-
scribes it as follows:
ION the opposite side of the way
(High street,, near Ely street, is the
Ancient house, a noteworthy specl-
men of sixteenth century domestic
architecture, exhibiting on it's face
the date 1896, and framework and
bargeboards of the front, which termi-
mates in an overhanging gable elab-
orately carved. The upper windows,
which project, are supported by orna-
mental corbels.
1.-THE house was built by Thomas
Rogers, an alderman of Stratford,
whose daughter, Catherine, married
John Harvard of St. Savior's, South
wark from whom sprang John Har-
ward, the founder of the American col
lege."
The recent sale was ordered by the
executors of the will Of Mr.. New
ton, who had owned the place for
many years.
John Harvard was born in 1907. His
mother possessed some means and
sent him to Cambridge university. He
was graduated in 1886 and went to
Massachusetts two years later. At
his death in 1888 one-half of his estate
of 500 was set aside for the cree
ton of the college, now a university,
that bears his name.