Paradox

Gamblers, western bartenders, lottery sharpers of the Mississippi Valley, touts, awoke New Year's Day to a surprise; pondered the resolution of Publisher Fred G. Bonfils: Through his Denver Post he announced the establishment of the Frederick G. Bonfils Foundation for the "Betterment of Mankind." Said he:

"I want the Foundation to be so administered that it will result in better homes, better schools, better and more intelligent people, healthier and happier conditions of life, greater morality and more widespread regard for the love of God and the Gospel of Christ."

A sample promise: A quarter of a million will be set aside to reward the discoverer of a cure for cancer.

To the Foundation Publisher Bonfils reported the donation of his entire fortune.

Religious people read the resolution with the same surpise. Scanning the fervent promises they recalled the life and works of Publisher Bonfils who once boasted blood relationship to Napoleon. Some recalled that:

He had gone west with empty pockets; filled them with gambler's gold. Sharp eyed, olive skinned, he played the Mississippi steamboats for a dangerous living.

The business partner with whom he made the Denver Post a potent factor in Western life was H. H. Tammen, garrulous bartender.

The Post gained its powerful position through scorching, sensational journalism. Its pages were daubed with scarlet grease of fleshpots.

Shamelessly inscribed on the Post building was the legend: "O Justice! When Expelled From All Other Habitations Make This Thy Dwelling Place."

Bonfils purchased the Post on capital amassed from operation of the Little Louisiana Lottery, which netted him $800,000. Descendants of these dollars now rear the Foundation for the "Betterment of Mankind."