Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/267

 THE EARLIER BUILDINGS 233 its donor, Mr. Walker, and pledge him that it will be sacredly devoted to the interests he has had at heart. Time wilt show him, as no words of mine tonight could show, our appreciation of his noble gift and the gratitude which fills our hearts. Walker Museum continued to be used, not only as a Museum, but for twenty-two years as a lecture hall for Geology, Geography, Anthropology, and Paleontology. As has been narrated, the high cost of building, the immense expansion of the original plan of the new institution, and the num- ber of buildings and increased equipment the enlarged plans de- manded, led the Trustees in November, 1891, to enter upon an effort to raise a million dollars, "to be expended on the grounds, buildings and general equipment." The story of the raising of this great sum has been told. It may now be said that the first large response to the appeal made for it was the proffer of Sidney A. Kent of Chicago to build the chemical laboratory. A preliminary report on the negotiation with Mr. Kent was made to the Trustees on February 23, 1892, by George C. Walker and H. H. Kohlsaat. This was followed by the reading of the following letter at the next meeting of the Trustees, held March 19, 1892. (It is a rather remarkable coincidence that at the same meeting a letter was read from Mr. Rockefeller contributing his second million dollars.) CHICAGO March 17, 1892 To the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago: GENTLEMEN: Mr. Sidney A. Kent of this city has decided to erect and furnish a building to be located on the University grounds, and to be known as the Kent Chemical Hall, and to cost not to exceed one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The general design has been prepared by the architect and approved by Mr. Kent. Detail drawings will be made at once and the build- ing commenced as soon as possible. He [Mr. Kent] will provide the means to pay for same as the work progresses. The gift is made on the condition that the corporation shall give to him a written guaranty that in case the building is ever destroyed it shall be rebuilt and the name be retained. GEORGE C. WALKER The condition named by Mr. Kent was accepted and the com- mittee was instructed to proceed as rapidly as possible to erect the laboratory. Although Mr. Kent had fixed a limit for the cost of the building, he did not adhere to it. All the details connected with