The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-07-14

winter, to Eufier from the chilling blasts,
and rains, md SHOWS 0f that inclement
season, was narrowing In the extreme
Our anxieties were intense. But, In the
midst of these perplexities, we learned
that possibly we could secure the Gov
eminent buildings, one mile north of
Lauderdale Station. We had long had
our eye upon those buildings, and had
used every exRrtion to secure them, but
had hitherto failed. Our necessities
opened the way to their final possession
An effort was Immediately made In that
direction. In the meantime the agent
of Mr.. Speed was also induced to change
his terms. He proposed as his ultima
tum, to rent us the old property for one
year and no less time, for the sum of
81 800 90 cash, and a policy of insu-
rance on the buildings for IS, 600 90.
This proposition we of course could not
accept Our efforts. however, to obtain
the Government buildings were soon sue
eessful. An order was obtained from
General Ames to dispose of them at pub
lie sale on the 9th of january, and
they were purchased by our agent for
the sum of $558 90. They areworth ten
times the amount we paid for them.
The land on which these buildings
stand, belongs as yet to parties in Indi-
ana They are anxious to sell, and it can
be purchased at reasonable figures
There are 100 acres in the tract. We
have, also, purchased 260 acres adjacent
to this, of good rate land, for 50, 600 90;
payments in two equal annual install
ments. We now consider the Home
PERMANENTLY LOCATED.
We have beautiful site, with plenty
of land for present purposes. The land
is as productive as any in that section of
the State, and the timber the best in the
whole region. There is sufficiency of
the best pine and oak to put up ten time
the number of buildings we shall ever
need, and then have enough left for
fencing and fuel. If we had the means
to suitably improve this location, we
could make it little parafdise or our
orphans. Commanding In position,
healthy, well watered, and easily Access
sible, with a comparatively small ex-
pense, it can be made not only comfort
able but an elegant Home for the des-
titute orphans of our land.
COST OF IMPROVEMENTS.
Many may be anxious to know the es-
timated cost of fully equipping the new
Home. We can of course only approx
mate the figures, and yet we think we can
reach point of exactness sufficient for all
practical purposes. IL we had $40, 000. 90
to be spent in the erection of buildings,
and SIS, 900 90 to pay for land and other
improvements, the Board are confident,
that, with this expenditure, they would
be prepared to accommodate at least four
hundred children. Our friends in Ken
lucky are proposing to spend 500, 000. 90
in the purchase Of land and the erection
of buildings in the city of Louisville, and
then will not be able to accommodate
more than one hundred children. Yet
they considerit wise investment. How
economical our expenditure compared
with theirs. With one-fourth the amount
invested we can care for four times as
many orphans And with US, when they
leave the Home, they will be prepared in
every case, so far as capacity will permit,
to take care ofthemselves. For each will
have acquired useful and profitable vo-
cation, as well as a suitable mental
training. We are confident that no Or
phan Asylum in the land will compare
in cheapness with the expenditure which
we propose to make. No College with an
equal number of students can be estab-
lished on a permanent foundation for
three times the money. The above esti-
mates are of course outside the annual
cost of support. But it should be remem-
bered that we propose to so manage the
Institution, that this annual cost shall
gradually diminish to a very small
amount, and if possible to zero. And
then the whole amount need not be sec
ured and expended all at once. The
present buildings can be used until better
ones can be provided. We can have
time in which to accomplish our plans.
Yet it should not be overlooked that some
of this work needs to be done immedi-
ately We should make a beginning at
once. The lands should be paid for, and
some new buildings are absolutely re-
quired. The children are too much
crowded in their present quarters, and
we are compelled to refuse admittance to
many who imperatively need the benefits
of the Home.
We have made some progress towards
the independence or selfsupport of the
Home. We have planted this year 125
acres in cotton, 80 acres in corn and OF -,
besides other small crops and a large
garden. We have set out 1000 fruit
trees, and planted three acres in grape
vines; all of which are doing well. We
have, also, commenced a small nursery,
which we hope to make remunerative.
Influenced somewhat by the judgment of
experienced fruitgrowers and nurserymen,
it is the intention of the Board to extend
operations in these lines until we make
the Home as near self-supporting as it
can be made We need, however, more
stock ofevery description, such as mules,
horses, hogs, and cows. Friends of the
Home cannot do us greater favor than
to contribute something that will aid us
in workiag the land and in feeding the
children.
THE BANNER.
One of the most efficient means of
self support, is the Orphans Home Ban
ner. The amount of revenue derived
directly from it as profit on its publica-
ton is considerable, and it has proved to
be the best agent we have had In the field
during the year. The good it has done
is incalculable, not merely in bringing
contributions into the treasury, but in
disseminating just views of the character
and aims of the Home. Its circulation
ought to be quadruple what it is How
easy it would be for its friends to make it
more than this, if they would but make
the effort. We urge this with emphasis
upon every lover of the Home. By la
boring to increase the circulation of the
Banner, the most tender female can do as
much towards feeding the hungry and