Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1925-10-15

southern cotton mills which made use
of the power developed by his hydro
electric plants, mad in electric rail-
ways serving the territory.
The development of the water pow
er of the Saguenay river was part
of Mr. Dukes plan for the manu-
facture of cheap fertilizer. He had
hoped to work out a process for OBJ
tanning phosphate from the rock by
means of electricity, method which
he believed would be much cheaper
than the acid method generally en-
ployed. To further his Efforts along
this line, Mr.. Duke acquired Flor
ida phosphate mine and also. became
interested in the American Cyanamid
company a successful nitrogen pro-
ducing company. While the whole
scheme was not Immediately success
full due to the fact that the process
of extracting phosphate by electricity
was not commercially successful Mr..
Duke had not abandoned faith that
it ultimately could be worked out,
In 1924 he established the Duke
endowment, for which he set aside
$40, 100000. This was the chrystal-
lization of ideas which Mr.. Duke had
had in mind for many years. The
trustees were empowered to eXpend
So, 100000 in acquiring lands, erec-
ting buildings and otherwise extend
ing the activities of Trinity College,
an institution in which the elder Duke
had been much interested. The trust
deed provided that the name of the
institution should be changed to Duke
university as a fitting memorial to
the father, Washington Duke and the
family. ga. ..' iHF- -.
Thirty two per cent of the ihcsrHs
FROM the trust fund was given to the
University, like portion was set
aside for maintaining and securing
hospitals primarily in the States of
North Carolina and South Carolina,
and other sums for the benefit of
white and negro orphans in the two
States, for aidin in the construction
of Methodist Episcopal Churches in
rural sections of North Carolina, for
pensioning superannuated preachers
for the use Of Davidson College at
Davidson, N. c., Presbyterian insti-
tuition; for Fufnian university, a Bau-
tist institution at Greenville, s. G. and
for the John G. Smith University at
Charlotte, for negroes.
For many years Mr.. Duke made
his home at Somerville, N. j., where
he maintained an estate of some 81
600 acres which until recently was
opened to the public. The estate was
adorned with massive bridges, more
than 40 fountains and numerous sta
tues. Trees and shrubs were brought
from all parts of the world and pla-
ced about the grounds. He also had
residence in New York City, ONE
at Newport, r. |. and still another
at Charlotte, where he often spent
the winters.
Always an ardent Republican and
believers in high tariff, Mr.. Duke was
a great admirer of President McKin-
lev. A mammoth bronze statue of
Mckinley stands i'll a Conspicuous
position on Duke farms, the Somer-
Vile, N. J. est2te.
Mr.. Duke died in the presence Of
his family and DR.. Robert H. Wylle
who has attended him through his
long illness. The physician said that
the end came as a direct result of
bronchial pneumonia contracted af-
ter the breakdown.
Mr.. Duke had fallen into state
of coma after several days of fight
ing for life. At times he showed
such improvement it was thought he
would recover.
He is survived by his widow, who
was Miss Nanaline Holt, daughter
Miss Doris Duke, brother, Benja-
min Newton Duke, and niece Mrs.
Anothony j. Drexei-Biddle Duke, who
before her marriage was Miss Mary