The Days of a Man 



1891 



and often at a real sacrifice, which they would, how- 

 ever, modestly disclaim! 1 



Saving the The special beauty of Palo Alto (aside from 

 live oaks c li m ate and general surroundings) lies in its abun- 

 dant growth of fine live oaks, many of which are still 

 left standing in the less-frequented streets where 

 they are not a menace to traffic. Apropos of this I 

 recall with satisfaction an incident wherein I figured 

 somewhat autocratically. Learning that a number 

 of splendid trees near the station were likely to be 

 cut down by road makers, quite unnecessarily as 

 it seemed to me, I sent word that if any more were 

 sacrificed I should close the main university gate 

 and transact our business with Menlo Park. I had 

 no special authority to do this, but the threat was 

 sufficient. As a consequence "the Circle'* retains 

 much of its original beauty. 



A unique figure in Stanford affairs appeared with 

 r j se O f p a j Alto. This was the famous "Uncle 

 John," whose "surrey" plied between the station 

 and the University. Devoting himself with zest to 

 the enlightenment of visitors, he told amazing yarns 

 which spread his fame far and wide. The four 

 marble statues of Greek celebrities 2 on the Museum 

 roof he described as great librarians, and provided 

 for each an elaborate if not veracious history. The 

 different university buildings he described as centers 

 of musical instruction, a "diaploma" from this one 



1 A. W. Smith, J. C. L. Fish C. H. Gilbert, L. M. Hoskins, W. W. Tho- 

 burn, F. Angell, A. G. Warner, F. Sanford, A. T. Murray, G. H. Marx, J. P. 

 Mitchell, A. M. Cathcart, and others. I may here mention also A. B. Dark's 

 excellent service as mayor of the neighboring town of Mayfield while he was 

 a resident there. For further particulars concerning the academic relations 

 of most of these "City Fathers," see Chapter xvn, page 398, and Chapter 

 xvni, page 439. 



2 Thrown down in the earthquake of 1906. 



John" 



