1905] A Woman s Courage 



evidence were finally fully explained and accounted 

 for, mainly through Callundan's efforts. But as these 

 bore no causal relation to the calamity (hastened as 

 a matter of fact by unwonted exposure and a too 

 hearty luncheon on a picnic trip to the Pali), it is 

 not necessary to discuss them further. 



Mrs. Stanford was a strongly built woman of Marked 

 considerably more than average height and of com- c } ia ^ acter " 

 manding presence. She possessed great decision of ' 

 character, a preeminently religious spirit, a high 

 degree of business ability, and a straightforward, 

 democratic manner combined with large experience 

 in the world. Having a special fondness for religious 

 art, she adorned the Memorial Church with mosaics 

 and stained-glass windows portraying, for the most 

 part, scenes from the Old Testament and from the 

 life of Jesus. 



Her salient personal trait, that of absolute loy- 

 alty to every plan of her husband, was of paramount 

 value to us through the twelve years in which the 

 University and its future rested absolutely in her 

 hands. 1 Had she yielded or flinched in any one of 

 a dozen crises or embarrassments, the endowment 

 would have been wrecked. 



One incident ia the great railway strike of 1894 Unusual 

 shows the respect and affection felt for the Stanfords devotion 

 by the employees of the Southern Pacific Railway. 

 Having gone to Vina on business, Mrs. Stanford 

 found herself stranded there most inopportunely, 

 every train west of Chicago being held up. Feeling 

 on both sides ran high, although no one then knew 

 and no one even now seems to know the real griev- 

 ance. But when some of the railway men heard of 



1 See Vol. I, Chapter xx, pages 495-504. 



C i57 3 



