Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/65

THE PREPARING OF THE WAY 39 Strong had unfolded his plans to Dr. Harper who had received them hospitably and agreed to join hands with their originator in the proposed institution in New York. Dr. Harper was commended to Mr. Rockefeller in the strongest terms. He and Dr. Strong were to be associated in the conduct of the University. Dr. Strong urged Mr. Rockefeller to see him. "He is full of ideas." "He is already famous." "He would give his whole life to such an enter- prise." "I wish you could see him." Thus the New York uni- versity scheme brought Dr. Harper again into relations with Mr. Rockefeller. As time went on, these relations became intimate. Mr. Rockefeller soon came to recognize and appreciate the extraor- dinary qualities of this young professor of Hebrew, then only a little over thirty years old, saw much of him and exchanged fre- quent letters with him. The way was thus prepared for those interesting and important negotiations between the two, the story of which will be told in other chapters of this history. In October, 1887, soon after the return of Mr. Rockefeller from Europe, Mr. Goodspeed again urged upon him the Chicago enter- prise. In February, 1888, Dr. George C. Lorimer also addressed him, and Dr. P. S. Henson, in March following, called on him and later wrote him in the interest of a new university at Morgan Park. The result of the interview was that he asked Dr. Henson to present the considerations he wished to lay before him in writing. To the letter he responded that he was not prepared to make any promise, but would not forget what was said. On the same date, June 19, 1888, he wrote to Mr. Goodspeed: "I am obliged to write Dr. Henson I cannot say anything now in reference to the proposed University of Chicago." These were not very encouraging, but, on the other hand, neither were they altogether discouraging state- ments. They at least indicated that the subject had not been finally dismissed. On July 3, 1888, Mr. Goodspeed wrote a final letter to Mr. Rockefeller, a few lines of which are here quoted as showing exactly how the project stood at that time: Your favor of June igth came duly to hand. I understand you to mean that while you may be disposed to help you are not yet ready to say what you will do. I feel that this makes it impossible for me to press you further at this time As you know, some seventy-five or eighty thousand dollars have been offered here in buildings, grounds, and cash, on condition that one hundred