Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1867-05-31
"A Visit to the Soldiers Orr
phnns, Home. -
Present Condition. General Manage
mcnt. What Should be Done.

Two hours absence from our office
one day this week was very pleasantly
and profitably spent by a visit to the
Soldiers Orphans Home On call
ing at the. Home" we were kindly
shown through the building by Mr.
Abbott, the Superintendent, and had
the privilege granted us of infinitely
examining the several departments of
this Institution. Our first visit was at
the office and for the present used for a
supply room, where was seen all kinds
of clothing, shoes and blankets for the
inmates when required. taf
Next we were shown through the
several wardrooms, domitories, hospi-
tai room, laundries, bake and cook
rooms, finding these several depart
ments in very neat and satisfactory
condition. We next visited the school
departments under three efficient teach-
ers, the children being divided into
three departments, primary, intermedi-
ate ard higher, all varying in ages
from three to fifteen years. 1t then
being noon, we repaired to the eat
ing hall and taking our stand at the
head of the tables, we Witnessed q most
interesting sight. At the ringing of
the bell, the children filed out of their
several wards down along the several
tables to their allotted places, with no
noise or confusion, all moving with the
most perfect system and order. At q
tap of the bell all were quiet, the Chap
lain asked the blessing and all were
served to a plentiful supply of whole
some food. As we looked over those
three hundred children so we'll cared
for, all bearing on their countenances
thankfulness for the kindness thus be-
slowed upon them, we could but say,
all honor to the noble people of Iowa
who first inaugurated and are now sus-
tanning this system of "Homes" for
these fatherless children, for who can
measure the good that may result from
thus gathering together these homeless
wanderers, where through noble heart-
ed charities and under the guidance of
christianity, they may be educated and
fitted for usefulness as they grow up.
| First in the field in this important
enterprise, Iowa has set an exam pie
\ which many of her sister States
are very wisely following. The
children now number two hundred
and ninty-three, and will probably
I reach three hundred within q week.
OF these what is most remarkable, not
one was sick. Yet when we consider
the care and systematic management
throughout to preserve perfect health
among the children, 1t may be account
ed for and reflects great credit on the
superintendent and mis- faithful assist
ants The several wards are mopped
out or scrubbed every morning, and
! every child is bathed once week.
During the night watch visits each
ward every hour and sees that all are
carefully covered. We will not give a
minute description of the several de-
partments, wishing only In this to COR.
rect an impression that many abroad
have obtained that the children of the
Home are suffering for food, arising
probably from the fact that calls have
been required to be made on the public
aside from the amount appropriated by
the Legislature.
When Mr.. Abbott took charge of the
Home, Oct. LIST, 1866, there were one
hundred and fifty-three Orphans at the
/ Home. Finding the amount oppropri-
ated by the Legislature insufficient to
properly clothe and feed them, and the
number daily increasing, calls we've
I found necessary to be made on the peo-
pie, and Miss Sweet was sent out in
+! February last to solicit funds to supply
the deficiency. The whole amount of
money received in contributions by Mr..
Abbott for the Home is 81 200, which,
| by judicious management i'm purchas-
ing the provision for the winter i'm the
fall, has kept them supplied, 81, 200 be-
ing expended in the fall in purchasing
potatoes, butter, &C., for winter use. 1t
requires three bushels of potatoes thirty
pounds of butter, from eighty to one
hundred pounds Of meat for one meal,
aud a barrel and half Of -four per day,
which will give any one who will stop
to calculate, an idea of the amount re-
quired to purchase these articles, with
the high prices of provision.
III the new Home was built on the
farm purchased for that purpose just
outside of the city, the potatoes and
vegetables might be raised in suffi-
cient quantity to keep the Home sup
piled. Mr.. Abbott has planted this
season eight acres of potatoes, which,
with an average yield, will be suffi-
cient supply for next winter. With a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
potatoes, vegetables, and everything
usually purchased Of the farmers,
might be raised by the boys of the
Home which would in our opinion, save
the cost of that amount Of land. The
building now occupied for the Home is
too small to accommodate the large
number who are almost daily applying
for admission. But none who We're
needy have thus far been turned away.
An appropriation of twelve dollars per
month by the Legislature for the sup
port of each inmate and sufficient
sum to erect comfortable Home on
the farm selected for that purpose is
now required to supply the wants of
this Institution, and we trust that ut
the next session Of the Legislature, the
necessary appropriations will be made.