Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-29
START WORK SOON
Plans for Dickson Home for
Aged Men.
BIG ENDOWMENT FUND
Nearly Million Left by Donor for
the Building and Main
tenance.

The work on the construction of the
John Dickson Home for Aged Men is to
be started in the near future. Several
years have elapsed since the death of
Henry Dickson. a former resident OF
Georgetown. He died In Italy. where his
last years were spent. When his will
was opened there was brought to light the
knowledge of benefaction for his native
place which stands alone in the list of
public-spirited acts which are recorded in
the history Of the District.
He had directed that the whole of his
estate. which is valued at nearly million
of dollars, should be used in founding
residents of the District. who might be
without the means of support. In accord
ance with the provision Of this trust. the
execution OF which was left to the Wash
ington Loan and Trust Company, a site
has been secured, and now plans of a
building have been adopted and the work
of construction is to begin at once.
Endowment Fund Provided.
The balance of the estate after meeting
the cost Of the site and the building is
to be an endowment fund for the support
of the institution and the maintenance of
those who seek in years made dependent
b. circumstances and misfortune the
kindly shelter Of it's walls. In carving
out the provisions of this trust, the presi-
dent Of the Washington Loan and Trust
Company, John Joy Edison. has given his
personal attention to devising a plan for
the foundation, as the donor of the fund
only declared hts intentions in the most
general terms. In addition to the inter-
est which Mr.. Edison had in this matter
as the head of the trust company selected
by Mr.. Dickson as the trustee of his
benefaction, he has also been solicitous
as a citizen that the first institution of
the kind established in this city should be
on broad foundation and that both its
location and the character of the build
ings should contribute to the purpose Of
the man who in his will had thought of
those who through misfortune might
come to be dependent in their old age.
On 18th Street Extended.
The site selected is on the west side OF
18th street extended. a plot of ground
over one square north of the car barns
Of the railway company at Decatur
street. The grounds are well wooded, and
the building which has been designed by
A. B. Heaton, architect, is to have an
ample setting Of lawn, SO that it will
show to advantage and will also afford
the degree of retirement which is de-
sirable in a place where many Of the
residents will spend much time in the
grounds about their home.
The architectural treatment OF the
long, rather low-lying structure will be
in harmony with the surroundings. as 1t
will be colonial. There will be only two
stories, with third in the roof. In
addition to the space given to the bed
rooms, which naturally are the main fea-
lures Of the interior, there will be an in
frmary on the first floor of the wing.
while the dining room and kitchen will
be in a separate building. which, how
ever. will be connected with the main
structure by a pavilion, which will be
the general meeting place and smoking
room.
In determining upon the interior plan
Mr.. Edison and the architect made use
of such suggestions as were gained by
visiting institutions of like character In
various parts Of the country. 1t is be-
iieved the plan decided upon is not only
we'll adapted for the purposes. bat rep
resents the latest and best thought upon
the Subiecf