The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1919-08-22
WILL OBSERVE
ANNIVERSARY
Jewish Organizations Over the Coun-
try win Observe Scmi-C Centennial
Anniversary of the Death OF
RcbaCCa GratL

NEW YORK, Aug. S3.--Jewish or
CARNATIONS throughout America. es-
peCially those devoted to charitable
work, are arranging for suitable OBJ
servance the coming week to mark
the semi-ceutennial anniversary OF
the death OF Rebecca Gratz. the Phil
adelphia girl who b. came famous for
her philanthropies. and whose name
has been immorta.ized by Sir Walter
Scott.
! The life story of Rebecca Gratz was
one of unusual romance. Her father
was native Of Austria who decided
to try his fortunes in America. In
/ 1880 he arrived in Philadelphia.
young in years and full of enthusi-
asm. He saw an opportunity for bus
mess through supplying the Indian
I traders with merchandise. and in 4
. few years he was man of wealth
and importance in the Quaker City.
| In 1863 he married young wom-
( an of Lancaster, Pa. Mrs. Gratz
brought to their home in Philadcl-
! phia a charm that attracted guests
and boundless hospitality made the
Gratz monsion the rendezvous for all
the distinguished society OF the city
and visitors from abroad.
Rebecca Gratz was born in 1881.
AS she grew into womanhood she be-
came renowned for her beauty. She
had a singularly graceful figure. with
much dignity and the most engaging
manners. To the charms which nat.
ure had bestowed upon her was add
ed the sympathetic nature that at
tracts and holds persons.
During the war for American inde-
pendence her father had withdrawn
from commercial business and inter-
ested himself in Kentucky land deals.
One Of the sons had settled In Lex
ington, and on her visits to the Ken
lucky town Rebecca was received
with boundless expressions of admira-
ton and affection.
1t is said that Henry Clay, the
great Kentucky statesman. was anxi-
Gus to marry her. Some OF her con-
nections married into the most ex-
elusive Christian families. 1t was
therefore not extraordinary that a
deep and abiding love should devel- !
op between Rebecca and one Of the |
brilliant men she met But he was a !
Christian, strong in his faith: and she |
was devoted to the creed Of her faith
ers. So a marriage was impossible, |
and she healed the wounds in her /
heart by a constant and tender minis
tration to the unfortunate.
The remainder Of her life was de-
voted to deeds Of charity and philan-
thropy, which were not confined to
Hebrews only, but to all of the chari-
ties of her home city. Today she Is
best remembered as the founder OF
the Hebrew orphan asylum in Phil
adelphia, one OF the first institutions
of its kind in America. She also found |
ed the oldest mission Sunday school
for Hebrews in America. For this she
herself wrote series of prayers to
be used every day.
Thru a mutual love for Miss Matil-
da Hoffman, the beautiful daughter
of one of New York's most exclusive
families, strong personal and tender
friendship existed between Rebecca
Gratz and Washington Irving, the
famous American author. Miss Hoff-
man and Rebecca exchanged long yis-
its, and it was during these that the I
love story of Washington Irving and 1
Matilda Hoffman unfolded into sad |
romance. When she was only / s years
old the young women died. The blow |
to Irving was a sad one, and 1t was
then that Rebecca's friendship prov
ed help and a comfort.
1t was Washington Irving who told
his friend, Sir Walter Scott, of Re-
becca Gratz, OF her own love story
and of her firm religious faith, her
sweetness and noble worth, and how
she filled her life with good deeds.
This SO impressed the author of Wav-
erly that he at once set about new
novel, named his heroine Rebecca and
his book "Ivanhoe". The first copy
Of the book, completed Just one hun
dred years ago this December, was
sent by the author to Washington
Irving.