Douglas Island news., 1909-02-24
The Lincoln Farm Association


 Louisville, Kentucky, was put up at public auction to be sold for unpaid taxes. It is a fact that all but one of the bidders who appeared represented some business concern or speculator, endeavoring to get possession of the historic place to exploit it for private gain. Their shameful purpose was de- feated by one bidder who represented a private citizen acting through motives of simple patriotism. He conceived the idea of developing the farm into Lincoln National park which should stand forever as a fitting memorial to Lincoln's high service-a memorial worthy of the man and worthy of the American people.
 The views of the President, members of the cabinet, congressman, governors of states and men prominent iD every walk of life were secured, aud acting on the general suggestion an association was quickly formed and in June, 1906, incorporated as The Lincoln Farm As sociation, the purpose of which should be to secure the necessary funds to de- velop the park, erect memorial build ing to shelter the cabin, and to provide for their future care as priceless heri- tage of the American people. To this association the citizen in question pre- sented the farm and, later, the old cabin, which he also rescued from speculator who had the logs stored in cellar holding them for ransom.
 This work has not been subsidized by great private fortunes. As Lincoln was raised up from the people to per form bis mighty work, the men form ing the association felt that this me- morial to him should be the work of the people. They invited subscriptions of small amounts from twenty-five cents upward, giving each contributor a certificate of membership in the as- sociation and enrolling the name and address in the permanent record to be kept forever in a place of honor at the farm. Already more than 85,OOO men, women and children have contributed and received their cerfcates, the total available fund now on hand amounting to about S1OO,OOO.
 At least S50,O0O m9re will be needed, and to secure this we sincerely believe that it is only necessary that the mat ter should be placed before the people, so that they may have the opportunity to enroll.
 The contributions, of course, have varied from the minimum amount up- ward, each giving according to bis or her means or inclination, making the average about one dollar. Fraternal orders, women's clubs and patriotic or ganizations of all sorts have taken up the movement, and more than one thousand daily newspapers are taking au active part. The contract for beautiful memorial building was let early in Novem Der, 1908, and the work will be pushed forward to completion as rapidly as possible. The worn-out soil of the farm is to be restored to fer tility and the entire place maiutained under the care of skilled and compe tent men. In no other country but America could such patriotic move ment, based on simple appeal to the hearts of the people, have met with this success. It is a striking answer to foreign writers who sheer at American "materialism" and ''lack of patriotic sentiment"
 But the work is not yet fnished-its completion depends upon the spirit in which this appeal is met. Will yod not take your part in the work? Shall your name not be recorded as one of the founders and creators of the historic memorial, to be enrolled on the per manent record which will be kept for ever in place of honor at the park?
 RICHARD LLOYD JONES,
 Secretary.
 The patriotic citizens of Douglas are to be given an opportunity to become mem bers of "The Lincoln Farm Asso- ciation." Subscription sheets, which were sent to Mayor O'Connor, have been left at the following places, where all who wish may sign them: News Of fee, P. H. Fox's store, B. B. Smiths drug store, J. Heubner's drug store, the Douglas school, M. J. OConnor's store.