Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1866-12-14
For the Gazette
SOLDIERS ORPHANS HONE,
AT CEDAR FALLS.

When our country called for troops,
to rally to the rescue of our flag from
rebel hands, every loyal heart that
could not so in person, said to the brave
volunteers, eco, and we will care for
your wives and childreu.n We have
cause to be proud, that that promise has
been kept.
Iowa can well boast OF moving first
| to provide Homes for the children OF
her fallen heroes. Immediately after
the close Of the war, and before the
State authorities could establish insti-
tutiOns for the Orphans of our Soldiers,
the ever sympa,hizing heart and will
ing hand, which had furnished aid and
comfort to the soldiers in the field, were
promptly at work to provide for the
recently made orphans.
Cedar Falls was the chosen locality
for the Northern part of the State,aud a
little over yearago buildings were lit
tad up. During the autumn and winter,
100 children, more or less, were receiv-
ed, and were provided for by Mr.. Ar
thur Morrison, who managed The new
Home with much acceptance. LAST
winter, our Legislature passed acts to
have the state manage and provide, for
Soldiers Orphans of the State.
1t will be remembered that a State
Committee was appointed to visit Ce-
dar Falls; who reported in favor of con-
tinuing a branch under State authority.
In the early part of the present year,
the Home was taken under the control
of the State, and since that time the
chief expenses have been met from the
State treasury. During the summer
there have been extensive additions
and Improvements to the buildings, so
that room has been made to ACCOMMODATE
a large accession and the Home now
contains $50 children.
At the beginning of the second wear,
the board Of trustees appointed Mr.. J.
Il. Abbott Superintendent, and his
wife Matron. Mr.. Abbot has been sue.
cessfUi in adopting q plan aud system
of operation, which certainly exhibits
very clearly his ability for his position,
as well as conduces to the good and COM
fort Of the children, and the gratiiica-
ton OF the friends of the institution.
4 Tie Home is divided into wards, over
which are ward managers. Each ward
is provided with a Wardrobe, and the
clothing belonging to each child is
marked, and has its place. All neces-
sary furniture also, and ct cetcras, are
provided, such as chairs, tables, stove,
looking glass, together with books, pa
pers, and writing material. The older
boys and girls are required to devote a
portion of their time, to the various
branches of work Necessary to be done
about the institution. -
One room is set apart as cutting and
sewing department. Mr.. A. has adopt
ed u very important feature, in the way
af a Commissary Department, where he
keeps on hand supplies of Groceries
and such other articles as are in daily
use, obtained at wholesale prices
Another judicious arrangement recent
ly adopted, is, having a Night Watch
or Sentinel. Twenty-Five Of, the older
boys are chosen, who take turns to
watch at night, attending to the fires,
lights, &c. And every hour during
the night they are required to visit the
bedrooms of the small boys, and see
that the covering and clothing Is pro-
perly adjusted. r.
Your correspondent, in company with
others, were escorted by Mr.. A. through
the whole building, and we were privi-
legged to see the Home as it Is. Every
room and department was marked with
cleanliness, comfort, and order. The
children wereneat, tidy, and apparently
happy Teachers and managers all in
their place, and everything going OH
like clock-work. Especially the Hos
pital, which is one OF the most spacious
and pleasant rooms in the building, in
dictated the utmost care and attention
for the sick !; and what was truly re-
marketable, there was at the time only
one really sick child in the whole in
-stitution. "s&s@ aANe ff2sH IstEE
Mr. Van Norden who is the acting
Steward, rof the Home, iEsvidenslf the