CDR Guy R. Bostain, USN
(April 25, 1892 – October, 1983)
and
Mrs. Arietta M. Bostain
(February 15, 1908 – March 6, 2002)


The “CDR Guy R. Bostain, USN and Arietta M. Bostain Designated Scholarship” was established by Arietta, in both their names, in 1986. She wished, if possible, that the scholarship be given to a USN dependent from Georgia, Tennessee, or North Carolina—her favorite states.

We do not know much about Commander or Mrs. Bostain, but her story about the origination of the first $7000 gift is a treasure:

“The TROA donation came from a gold-stock certificate given to us years ago, by a cousin-in-law, John H., who lived in Manila, Philippine Islands. He was from Cincinnati, Ohio, and was married to an opera singer named Jessie Moonlight. When the Spanish American war broke out, he and Jessie sailed to the Philippine Islands with Admiral Dewey to help fight the war. In those days wives could go along. After the war, they remained in Manila. John H. practiced law and Jessie took in boarders and gave singing lessons. In time, John H. had a client who could not pay in cash for services, but offered gold stock, which at the time was practically useless—worth about 5 centavos per share (or 2½ cents, American). Later in time, the mine was inspected and found to be rich in gold!. The mine was developed and, in the end, John H. was wealthy from this”worthless stock”. He did much for Manila—put in the first sanitation business, water plants, developed other mines (chrome) on other islands and a timber company. He became known as the “Gold King of the Philippine Islands.” Then WWII came and most of his friends left the islands in time to escape, but many sad events took place—some of his and my husband’s friends did not get out, were interned, and beheaded for stealing food. The gold mines and hardwood forests were destroyed and everything leveled.

Shareholders “in the know” were able to sell out. We were NOT in the know. So, after the devastation, the stock was worth so little we held onto it out of sentiment. In time, it inched up to a little more and when it reached a workable situation for me I saw TROA’s ad for scholarships and immediately knew what I wanted to do with it.

Jessie Moonlight and J.H. came back to Ohio and lived on the Ohio River in a beautiful French-type home. As long as they lived, they gave little bits of stock to friends and relatives.”