New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-10
THE FIVE POINTS.
THE INSTITUTIONS THERE AND WHAT THEY ARE
DOING.

THE IBEtE AMI NhAA Aii~- @h''A'
DOING.
The Five Points are no more. The extern
sion OF Worth from Baxterst to Chathamsquare has
rendered the term by which this spot was so widely
known a misnomer, and will shortly change the whole
character and appearance Of the locality The value OF
tho property through which the street runs VIII be In
creased about per cent and stream OF Respectable
traffic will pour through from Broadway to Chatham
square, which Will sweep from the neighborhood all
OF the rufian class that have not yet been con-
verted or frightened away by the missionaries
Eighteen years ago more crime ana aDleet seIy Ms
concentrated within the narrow limits OF the rive rolts
than can found at the presentday any corner OF any
American city The inhabitants were terror 10 the
row alleys and filthy passageways secure refuge from
the pursuit OF justice. The principal and most noted
the Mission House stands On each side OF tins bnld
ing were aeyways leading 20 the rear and stories
count OF so many having lost their lives therein or the
other houses the neghborhood nearly every one was
um.shOp and brOthel and in many OF the dwellings,
two or three drinking places and and as many orOthes
were operation at the same time The necessity ior
eradcang this great moral ulcer IN the very heart OF
the city, aud within three minutes walk Ofthe CITY HAN
had long been felt. As FAR back as l9si mission sn
the wretched inhabitants and TO impar 10 their children
ss2 when that foul haunt 'The Old Brewery, was de-
molshed aud Mission House built on It's site by tho
Ladies' Home Missionary Society, that leveNnR dow
was struck al the fourshng tree Of wee so firmly
planted SO much has been written aud rewritten about
this great work OF an earnest Dahd Oh ieaes n3t o n
countryi that a sketch OF their labors would
needs be mere repetition OF this last years report
i notice has been taken Their labors are grow
ing lighter though none the less useful ana necessary az
crime decreases and with II want aud poverty IN the re
glon in which they work. During the past twelve
mouths less than llG0 children have been taught IN
the weekday schools OF the MissOn-the average daily
Attendance being 4l2. Eleven children have been
adopted for IS comfortable homes have been secured
and 100 adults have been provided with places over
i9s 600 ratons OF bread and sometimes Of bread meat,
aud vegetables, have been given To tho school children
and bed,oullts have been distributed free library
and readugroom opened in Spring, offering com;
Portable place for VINO have no homes or who dwell
In crowded and noisy tenements 90 spend evenings
which would otherwise be passed IN the grogshoP lem
with good effect The Five Points House OF Industry
great deal 20 chauSo 'nS % ~ ~ @ "a
The original purpose of its FOUNDER Mr. fease was TO
might acquire those habits OF industry neces-
sary for the obtaining OF honest livelihood.
by the fallen and repenant touchngy described
ia his surrendering the work 10 the Trus-
supposed 20 have said, Evil be thou good aud TO
riot wretched vices aud sarve upon the Scany wages
OF crime. by times In as, pOOrlOuses, aud kennels,
raced with disease aud scOurged by the law actu-
ally thought To be the choice OF large portion OF man
kind rather than 70 1--we IN comfort aud respectaby by
honest labor. This" hc continues they passOnaely
denied aud taking them at their word, had TO work out
tie truth Of IL by snglchanded experiment" In July,
1880 he commenced with 80 or 40 women making
shirts. In May ISL four houses were taken and and
January. 1884, 200 children were being taught In the
schools, and liz persons, Including two men, were
was completed in 1885, and, stated In yesterday TRIB
USE a large and cOmmOdlOus addition Is about 10 DO
made, which will enable the institution TO accommodate
about 400 persons. At present the house has constantly
famiy Of persons and the annual number OF different
inmates Is from 100 to 800 The number OF lodgings
yearly furnished Is about $1,000, and since IL st
tablshed II has furnished nearly 100000 The daily
number meals average than 900 Needy persons
who apply In destitute condition receive assistance.
Those Who are evidently paupers furnished with
a single meal aud referred TO tho Commissioners
of Charity and Correction. Persons who applied to
for money 10 buy food should refer the applicants TO the
Five Points House Of Industry. Within the last few
years a great change has come over the Five Points.
HardlOOkng characters may yet be seen idlng In the
streets OF the neighbOrhOOd, but they mostly old
wretches who cannot persuade themselves 10
forsAke the OF their former exploits. small
number OF dsteres still hang out their signs, but their
customers encouragingly fewer. In all the Sixth
Ward there not 80 many brOhes now as could once
be found In the single square OF the Five Points. Bur
glars thieves aud murderers longer lind there safe
by runs perhaps, as little risk OF being attacked
or robbed, than Broadway or the Bowery.
Much OF this Improvement Is due TO the vigilance and
determination OF the police The Excise law and sunday
law have conferred many blessings and prevented much
crime but to the Missions Is due the palm OF having
cleansed the metropolis OF the foul moral and physical
pollution which should only fud cougenal home In the
overpopulated capitals OF Europe. Commerce, that
great clvilzer. has scattered s benecent blessings
throughout the Five Points, and respectablo-oOkiug
buildings have arisen the sites OF filthy novels The
extension OF WOrthst at cost TO the taxpayers of &c.
$780, VIII have the effect Of adding 10 tho value OF prop
may like its name be regarded as thing OF the past