The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-04-25
MADE
TO THE CITY
COUNCIL
Anent Fountain Matter-Story
Of Life Work of Giver,
Herman Lee Ensign.

A formal proposition has been made
Weaver. secretary and treasurer of the
fountain matter.
which he represents, offers to give to
the city of Grand Forks a beautiful
| fountain, carved from Maine granite
to be sent to the city free of charge.
| The only cost to Grand Forks will be
the setting OF it, and keeping it sup
piled with water.
The location selected by Mr.. Mead is
at the intersection Of Chestnut street
and Fifth street. There is largo
space there, and the fountain would be
in the best location possible to secure.
Mr.. Mead stated TO the Evening
Times reporter that the alliance had
made rule that no fountains would
be placed on curbs. The fountains.
when so placed, lose part OF their
value as watering places, it being pos
sible to get to them only from one side.
The fountain is made possible by the
gift of the late Herman Lee Ensign.
1t will be six feet six inches high
from the ground to the top. The large
bowl for the use OF horses will he six
feet in diameter and carved from
piece of solid granite, highly polished.
The fountain consists of solid blocks
of granite. At the base are four cups
or basins to contain drinking water for
dogs. The large bowl for horses will
be four feet from the ground and in
such a position that unchecking OF
horses will not always be necessary.
Above the bowl will be a carved
block OF granite containing one one
side the following inscriptions:
Hermon Lee Ensign, Founder, 1905.
Presented by the National Humane
alliance.
On the other three sides are lions
heads with streams of water flowing
from their mouths and falling into the
bowl below.
Hermon Lee Ensign was born in
Carbonate, Pa, June so, 1S49. At an
early age he moved with his parents
to Sheffield, Ill. When Is he acquired
a knowledge of telegraphing, and be-
came an expert. Soon after he went
to Davenport. and later to Denver
He was reared under religious in
fluences, was member of the Con-
gregatiOnal church, and when 20, de-
cided to become minister. He en-
tered Phillips academy. His health or
fiances soon failed and he went to Chi
cago, where he began business with a
bridge company.
A few years later he became the
manager of the Alliance, a weekly
journal. mildly religious and widely
humanitarian. His experience in
journalism he turned to practical ac-
count by later engaging in the ad-
vertising business, following it with
marked success, and acquiring a for
tune in twenty years.
Fertile in fancy and quick in expert
ment, he devised new form of news
paper advertising, known as headline
reading advertising. He also invented
a stereotype plate with removable
base
In 1882 he moved to Rochester and
two years later to New York, where
he lived until his death in 1899.
From childhood he was a lover of
domestic animals.
To him animals were not merely in
feriors or slaves; they were compan-
ions and friends, devoting themselves
to man and depending upon him for
their lives and happiness. The ethics
of the relations with lower animals
have seldom had more practical and
forcible expression than from this
humane man He was an ardent dis
ciple of Henry Bergh.
He founded the National Humane al
lance to carry out his ideas for the
welfare of animals. He intended to
give his time and fortune to the work,
and the society is administering the
trust of Mr.. Ensign on the lines of
his ideas for humane work, educating
children in kindness to animals and
other similar work.
The Humane alliance has Offices at
No. 513 United Charities building, New
York City. The officers are Harrison
Grey Fske, president; Frederick Boyd
Tilghman, vice president, and Lewis
NJ. Seaver. secretary and treasurer.
The only thing remaining for Grand
Forks to secure the fountain, is the
acceptance of the proposition by the
city council. The matter will be up at
the next meeting, and there is little
doubt but what the fountain will be
accepted, and the provisions carried.