Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-27
The Borrowed Time CIub-A Famous
Old Mems Organization.

Old Mems organization.
In the Interesting People" depart !
ment Of the February American Maga-
zine appears an account Of the "Bor-
rowed Time Club" of Oak Park, III.
This club is composed Of men over 70
Years of age. Each member now con-
siders himself living on borrowed
time" having exceeded the scriptural
allotment Of three score years and ten.
The club was founded by young man
named Philander W. Barclay. Most Of
the members of the club were friends
of his fathers who died a few years
ago. An extract from the article fol-
lows:
"The afternoon sun shone through
the trees which cast long, cool shad-
J ows across the lawn, where sat
group Of perhaps 30 venerable men.
The sunlight turned the white hair Of
their barred heads into shimmering
silver, and their voices blended in
pheasant murmur of contented fellow
ship. Approaching this company Of
patriarchs, learned that they were
holding meeting of the Borrowed
Time Club, a uniquqe organization in
Oak Park, III. Each member, my in
formant said, was living on borrowed
Itime-borrowed,' he half jocosely
explained because each had exceeded
the scriptural allotment of three
score years and ten In the center of
the group a young man of perhaps 80
was talking with an old gentleman
whose face was repeatedly lighted up
with smiles, and whose words drew
the attention of those about him.
"'That's good old Father" Robbins,
our president said the old man at my
side, observing my interest
"'And the young man. I asked,
surely he is not a member Of the
club?'
Eyes was the proud reply, that's
our Philander He organized the club
several years ago, and every member
considers him his particular friend.
We insist on his being at our meetings
when he can get away from his shop;
but guess that 1t don't take much in
slstence, for he's as happy as can be
when he's with u.s.
presently I introduced myself to
the young man, and he handed me his
card, which read: 'Philander W.
Barclay Bicycles and Electrical Sup
plies, Oak Park, ILL., I found that his
chief interest was not in bicycles, de-
spite a thrifty trade, but in old men,
Barclays father died many years ago,
and after that he frequently found
hismelf enjoying the company of old
men who had been his fathers friends.
The idea Of a social club exclusively
for old men was original with him; he
carried the plan to friend, Father
Robbins and secured his enthusiastic
cooperation. It proved no small task,
however, to enlist the interest Of the
old men whom Barclay hoped to ben
eft by his unique club Their dull
ears were slow to catch the drift Of
his eager words. They shrank from
such suggestions as weekly meet
ings,' and old men only and other
phrases that they caught from Bar
clay's conversation. But persistence
and lidliness won. At the first meet
ing Father Robbins was elected pres
ident, and a simple constitution was
adopted plcdging support to any meas
ure or cause which promoted the com
fort and fellowship of old men,
For nearly ten years the personal
philanthropist' rested content with the
success Of his club in Oak Park, and
never thought Of carrying his idea
further However, last winter, while
in Los Angeles, he was moved to pity
at the sight of the old men in the
parks who seemed to be very lonely.
lie found that many of them were in
the city only for the winter to escape
severe weather in the East. He Sc
cured an interview with the mayor Of
Los Angeles, told him what he had
seen, and proposed a Borrowed Time
Club, the nature of which he explained
The mayor gave his hearty endorse
ment. Barclay then spent several
days acquainting the old men in the
parks and elsewhere with his plan.
"They were Immediately interested,
and soon perfected an organization.
The daily papers took up their cause
with the result that the club members,
and old men generally, have been CIV
en- far more consideration than be-
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