Arizona republican., 1913-02-20
The Borrowed Time Club

In the Interesting People" department of the February American Magazine, appears account of the Borrowed Time Cub,' Oak Park dhls club is composed of men over seventy years of age Each member considers himself living borrowed time,' having exceeded the scriptural allotment of three score years and ten The club was founded by young named Phander w. Barclay. Most of the members of the club were friends his who few years ago An extract from the article follows
 The afternoon shOne through the trees which cast long, cool shadows lawn where sat a group of perhaps thirty venerable men. The sunlight turned the white hair of their bared heads into shmmerng silver, their voices blended in a pleasant of cOntented fellow ship Approaching this company of patriarchs, I learned that they holding d meeting of the Borrowed Time club, of Oak Park, III. Each member my informant said, living borrowed time borrowed he half jocosey explained, because each had exceeded the ScripturaI allotment of three score years and ten. In the center of the group young man of perhaps thirty talking an old gentleman whose face repeatedly lighted up with smiles, and whose words drew the attention of those him.
 That's good old Father Robbins. our pres- dents said the old man at my side, observing my interest.
 And the young man, asked surely he is not member of the club?
 Yes, was the proud reply. that's our PhiIan- der He organized the club years ago. and every member considers him his particular friend We insist on his being meetings when he can get away from his shop; but I guess that it don't take much insistence for he's happy be when he's with us
 Presently l introduced myself to the young man. and he handed his card. which read: Philander w. Barclay Bicycles and Electrical Sup plies, Oak Park III found that his chief interest not in bicycles, despite thrifty trade but in old Barclays many years ago. and after that he frequently found himself enjoying the company of the old who had been his fathers friend The idea d social club exclusive ly for old original with him; he carried the plan to friend Father Robbins, and secured his enthusiastic cooperation. It proved no smeu task however, to enlist the interest of the old whom Barclay hoped to benefit by his unique club Their dull slow catch the drift his eager words. They shranl< from such suggestions weekly meetings old only and othe!. phrases that they caught from Barclays conversa- ton. But persistence and kindness won. At the first meeting Father Robbins elected president A simple constitution was adopted, pledgng sup port to any measure which promoted the comfort and fellowship of old men
 For nearly ten years the personal philanthropst' rested content with the success of his club in Oal Park, and thought carrying idea fur ther. However last winter. while in Los Angeles, Ee moved to pity at the sight of the old men in the parks who seemed very lonely. He found that many of them the city only the winter, to escape the weather in the east. He secured interview with the mayor of iros Angeles. told him what he had seen and proposed a Borrowed Time club the which he ex- planed. The mayor gave his hearty endorsement. Barclay then spent several days acquanting the oiI men in the parks and elsewhere with his plan
 They immediately interested and soon per fected organization The daily papers took up their cause, with the result that the club members and old generally have been given more consideration than before. Many the members Cf returning to their respective homes in the east. Thus Minneapolis expects have a club. and a New England will probably another. Other members yet to be heard from