The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-12
FORT WASHINGTON
TOBE MEMORIAL
Patriotic Citizens Buy Site Az
ter Auction of James Cor
don Bennett Property.
JOURNALISTS HOME NEAR
R0dman Wanamaker Said to
Have Plot in Mind for
Institution.

1t became known yesterday, through
an announcement by Joseph p. Day,
who handled the recent sale Of the
James Gordon Bennett estate, that the
site or Fort Washington was purchased
oy group OF patriotic citizens at the
request OF Mr.. Day and the executors OF
the estate In order that arrangements
might be made later toward making
permanent national memorial out Of
the site. Mr.. Day also announced that
he succeeded in interesting Rodman
Wanamaker in the scheme, and Mr..
Wanamaker Immediately put up 10 per
cent. of the purchase price of the site.
corporation probably will be formed
soon to take over the lots and arrange
for the memorial and permanent saving
Of the site of the old fort.
Mr.. Day called attention last week
to the fact that under the terms OF the
Bennett will It was necessary for him to
sell the site at auction. This was no.
ticed by group of citizens, who went
into the sale and bought the lots at
public auction, on the assurance OF Mr..
Day that he would try to make arrange
ments of some sort to relieve than of
the burden of the property.
Immediately adjoining the site of
Fort Washington" said Mr. Day, there
Is another similar group Of eighteen lots
comprising the plot on which stood the
house of the late James Gordon Bennett,
and his father before him. This ia actu-
ally the highest point Of land on Man
haitian Island and commands magnih-
cent views in all directions. Mr.. Wanna
maker gave me instructions to induce
the purchaser Of these eighteen lots to re-
linquish his claim and to turn them over
to an association which he will have
formed to preserve the site with some
suitable improvements as a tribute to
the memory OF the late James Gordon
Bennett and for some appropriate civic
purpose. and he Immediately gave me
his check for 10 per cent. OF the price.
I am happy to say that the purchaser,
out OF respect to Mr.. Wanamakers most
co:nmendable desire, Immediately placed
tho lots at Mr.. Wanamaker's disposal.
Il am certain that this parcel Will be
improved in way that will be suita-
BILE companion to the monument over the
fort site. Mr.. Wanamaker did not dis
close Just what he had in mind. but l
Go know that ne wants 10 De sure that
the home for journalists provided for
in the will OF the late JONES Gordon
Renrett will have a proper location. II
might be that he has this in mind, or it
may be that he has some other and
equally admirable plan In his mind. The
sale OF last Tuesday practically assures
the home being built.
Mr.. Wanamaker has felt that as
long as the home should be built the
sooner 1t was built the better. and there
fore when the late AugustusD. Juilliard
who had been associated as an execu-
tor. suggested the advisabiity OF an auc-
ton sale Mr. Wanamaker supported the
idea with alacrity. and although many
people were sceptical about the success
of lot sale in these times, Mr.. Wanna
maker insisted on seeing II through
and the results OF the sale completely
vindicate his judgment"