The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-06-18
MILLIONAIRE NO LONGER RICH
Gives Property to Found Industrial
School

ST. Louis, June 17-David J. Ran
kin Jr., one of st. Louis wealthiest
citizens and founder Of the David j.
Ranken Jr., School of Mechanical
Trades, has decided his entire fortune
estimated at more than SS,000,0O0 to
the board of trustees of the Ranken
school to be used in the maintenance
and enlargement of the institution,
which promises to be one of the lar
gest schools Of its kind in the world.
The announcement OF Ranken's en-
dowment under which he reserves
less than $4,000 year for his support
vas made public by the board of trus-
tees following the signing over Of the
last deed. The property decided to
the board of trustees consists of the
land now known as "Ranken tract
Mr. Ranken's home, stocks in the H.
linois Central and Rock Island rail-
roads and the Mississippi Valley Trust
company Mercantile Trust company,
Boatmen's bank. The entire property
is to be applied to the trades school
at the discretion OF the board OF trus.
tees.
Ranken is a bachelor IS years of
age and a native OF Ireland He
amassed his fortune in real estate and
stock deals
I'VE would like a statement from
you, Mr.. Ranken, regarding the trans.
fer OF your entire fortune 10 the
trades school and what improvements
you contemplate" reporter. told him
Mr. Ranken studied the ceiling for a
moment
Il do not want any more publicity"
came the reply. Il dislike very much
TO see my name in the newspapers. I
don't want It. please. ! decline to
say anything about II. The matter Is
In the hands Of the board Of trustees"
Ranken occupies three small rooms
over q grocery store. When he en-.
ters the door and climbs TO his rooms
he shuts out the world and declines
10 be seen. Here he has lived for
years aud worked out the plans and
ambition Of his life. the founding Of
the trades school whore poor boys
more than 10 years old can receive
a trade education for a nominal fee.
Mr. Ranken visits his school every
day and watches the boys at work. He
wastes no time in teaching every the.
DRY IN the lecture rooms unless IL has
some practical application IN the
shop work Geometry Is taught but
Instead OF having the boys compute
the columns Of a cone they are taught
the holding capacity OF a funnel OF
like dimensions. Glass room work In
all branches Of drawing. carpentry.
brick laying, painting and steam en-.
gineering Is along similar lines.
Mr. Ranken Is known rs a hard man
with whom TO drive a bargain but a
philanthropist who spends great sums
to carry out his plans.
Il want to give the poor boy a
chance 10 be useful citizen" he told
his board Of trustees when he called
them together a year ago and told
them what he wanted them to do with
his fortune. But In building this
school don't want TO waste any mon.
ey on gingerbread trimmings. Il
must be plain structure"
The founder OF the Ranken trades
school Is extremely plain in his hab.
It's and dress. One would not think
he was entering the Office OF a mil.
lionaire on stepping into Ranken's OF.
lice He maintains no suite OF car.
peted rooms, only single room and
the smallest one on the floor. The
humblest lawyer In ST. Louis would
not think Of establishing himself In
such small quarters.
II Ranken ever employed an assls.
tant or a stenographer no one knows
OF Il. He has not even telephone.
II any one wants to talk business 10
David Ranken Jr.. he must 70 to his
Office and talk face 70 face and must
make Il brief. Then the answer
comes emphatioally.