Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1867-04-05
Correspondence of the Gazette.
Cedar Falls.

Correspondence of the Gazette.
Cedar. Falls.
EDITOR OF GAzETTE.-Have the
goodness to allow space for short ac-
count of what l saw In your good city,
during the week ending March GOTH
shall not speak Of your many extern
sive manufacturing establishments, for
the manufacture, on q grand scale, of
starch, cloth, flour, lumber, &c. Ishall
confine myself to very imperfect de-
scription of the Benevolent and Edu-
cational Institutions, and first, the
"Home." The "Homep for the Sol
diers' Orphans. Having heard some
what Of this Institution, / gave it my
first attention. Without waiting for
an introduction or other preliminary,
in the middle of the week, when, if
ever, housekeepers are found, If not in
their "suds," at least, in their ''ordina-
ry," raped at the front door, whence
was admitted into the Reception
Room" neatly fitted up by the benev-
olent ladies Of Cedar Falls. Here /
awaited the attendance of a fit person
to ''show me round" 1 had not long
to wait ere very kind and gentleman
ly parsonage presented himself, and
accompanied me through labyrinth
of Halls, Ward Rooms, Dormitories,
Laundries, Bake Rooms, Cook Rooms,
School Rooms, and last Of all, the Re-
fectory -salon a n,dngeri As my visit
was short, shall not attempt to give a
full account of all the Home contains.
| saw enough, however, to convince
the most casual observer, that the Sol
diers' Orphans are, in this Home, we'll
cared for. That the Home is one Of
those Institutions OF which the State
may be justly proud. Not to expatiate
upon the justice and well-timed gener-
osity in which 1t originated: it speaks
volumes for the grateful sympathies of
the State In behalf of the helpless
children OF her heroic sons who laid
down their lives in defense of Freedom
and Equal Rights!
| In the philosophic and systematic
organization, as well as in the satisfac-
tory working of the Institution, may
be found the organizing skill of the
Superintendent, assisted in its manage
ment by the kindness, skill, patience
and love of those benevolent ladies
who act the part of mothers to those
in their charge. In all departments
there was visible neatness, system,
and, as far as the building would ad-
init, convenience, seldom seen else
where not seen in Institutions of
more pretentious character!
There are, ut this time, enjoying the
benefits of this Home, some three hun.
dred children, mostly boys, varying
from three to fifteen years Of age. All
these are furnished with q Home,
which, for comfort and training, both
mental and moral, compares favorably
with that home found under the paren-
tai roof! The best evidence of its good
management Is found in the hsalthful,
cheerful and tidy appearance of the
children! Entering award-room seemed
like entering the home of well-regu-
lated family. There was the mother,
as a central figure, surrounded by a
rather numerous family to be sure, yet,
all apparently happy and content;
where all seemed free and easy; void
of that oppressive restraint so embar-
RAISING to children. Notwithstanding,
all appeared under wholesome disci-
pline--of that kind, however, SO much
admired, yet seldom attained. Like a
well-ordered family, where all Is q
pleasure rather than task. This, so
desirable an attainment, is, think,
chiefly attributed to the wise policy of
placing in charge Of each ward-roem,
kind and efficient woman! For, say
what we will, women are the best adap-
ted to training the young, whether in
schools or elsewhere. Lastly, after
visiting the large and quite commodi-
GUS School Room, took my stand at
the head of the Refractory. 1t was
there saw sight which would richly
repay the time and trouble of visit
1t was to see three hundred eager chill
dren file into the spacious eating room!
Down stairs they come, not pell NELL,
with noise and confusion, but In per-
feet order, in bands of thirty or forty,
accompanied by their respective Ward
Managers. Taking each his allotted
seat at the table at given signal, after
the chaplain had asked blessing, all
were served In proper order with q
plentiful supply Of wholesome food, OF
which they all partook with zeal and
apparent relish so peculiar to child
hood. Suffice it to say, was highly
pleased, and, / trust, profited by visit
which by the lesson afforded shall
not soon forget!
My next call was at the Commercial
College Rooms. This Ia one of those
Institutions peculiarly American. /
know of no other nation that has made
the training of young men and women
TO take an active part in mercantile life,
a speciality! No other nation can
boast OF "chain of colleges extend
ing across continent, which has been
nearly accomplished within tire last ten
years! They have been tried and have
been found successful. From the facil-
tiles afforded TO fit young persons for
active business, they are, as they ought
TO be, generally patronized. From the
acknowledged ability of these gentle