The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-14

 A character who has always been disposed to laugh at misfortune and look on the brighter side of things, it would seem some inevitable, persistent fate has pur- sued him and still refuses to relnquish the chase.
 Dr. Raymond sta tes he was born in Bos- ton s1 years ago, an American, although his ancestors few generations back are purely German. He received the best education.
 But his passion was music and he de- voted himself to the muses. He graduated from Cornell university and for a time was professor of music at that institu- tion. He then went to Germany and studied music for four years under the professors of famous Leipsic university, Leipsic, Germany. Later he studied three years in Paris and two years in Lon don.
 Returning to America, Dr. Raymond for F years was organists of the great pipe | organ in the universalist church at Chi cago. He married and became the father of children. He insistently wooed his art and steadily rose to fame. He pur- chased great pipe organ at a cost of thousands of dollars and installed 1t in his private home. Then the fates that seem to have marked him out struck their first hard blow.
 T was playing in the church on the Sunday night before the fire relates Dr. Raymond. Little did I then think that II was the last time 1 would ever touch that beloved organ. But it was. The great Chicago fire of 1871 destroyed not only the church and the organ. but my home and my own organ and everything l had in the world except the clothes on the backs of myself and family went up in smoke"
 While In Chicago, Dr. Raymond states he organized the Chicago Philharmonic orchestra and also Chicago Conservatory Of Music, which soon established branches In Cincinnati and other places. After the Chicago fire he went to New York and for some years was orchestra leader of the Standard theatre of that city He drlfted from place to place, however, and finally came to Birmingham little over year ago to play the pipe organ in the Trianon theatre.
 Suffers From Broken Ankle
 This position the famous musician held for some time, but finally was compelled to give It up. In runaway horse acci- dent. Dr. Raymond broke his ankle and he states that he will never be able again to play his beloved pipe organ, as the instrument requires the use of both the feet and the hands. The accident occurred
 
 was confined to the hospital. Then he Iecuperated sufficiently to get out and found himself without a position, with out home or money and with few friends. He has been shifting for himself as best he can since then and he has no pros poets of any immediate improvement of his fortune. but his great heart is as light and his soul as optimistic as only that of the true Bohemian can be.
 Tn discussing his prospects with Dr. Raymond, the newspape man asked him why he did not appeal to his friends to aid him in securing another foothold.
 have few friends" said the kindly old man. Then he raised his chin and held his fine old head little higher as he added:
 'And besides still am little proud."
 pr. Raymond speaks five languages fipently, he ays-Spanish. French. Ger man, Italian and English. He says he mas given musical performances in all parts of the world
 His wife died many years ago and he fas several children now living.
 And now comes the truly sad part of the great musicians story. The reporter asked the old gentleman why he did not go to his children, if he ever heard from them, if they knew what condition he was in. He avoided the questions.
 Later the truth was found out. Tho "''i oi .uiiate anu dseu genus mas weak ness that 1t seems is largely responsible for his troubles He is addicted to in temperate use of alcohol Through this. it is reported, he has become enstrangel from his family and all of his old asso- ciates and friends His appetite for spir- it's he either cannot or does not desire to conquer.
 What Is the Remedy?
 But the appeal to the heart made by pr. Raymond's condition is not altered by this fact. The purpose of this story was to make an appeal to the people of Birmingham, perhaps more to the lovers of art and music than others. to take some cognizance of the old musicians s plight and aid him. In doing that it was desirable to set out the whole facts. Tha. has been done as nearly as they can be found out at present from pr. Raymond himself and a few others who have come