Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1870-01-14

soldiers Orphans Home

'Si" NhN AS"d AtOuithieal
CEDAR FALLS, iowa,
December IS, 1869.
/ had the pleasure OF visiting the
orphans Home' at this place yes>
terday. Itis known to most of your
readers that the State owns forty
acres of land near this ty, on which |
has lately heen erected fine brick
structure for the use of this institu.
tion. The appropriation fallin 4 short,
the children had to be moved to
their new "Home" before the build
ing was completed. ..... .....
There are now about 900 children
varying 3 To Is years of aye. They
are as comfortably situated hs the
unfinished structure will allow. A
large majo.ity are la good health.
The schools are in fine condition,
under the management of Misses
Hartshorn, Schenk, and Croweil.
Iowa cannot produce an equal num-
bet of brighter scholars of like ages,
than can be found In these scIlonls.
The young men aud women, (for
some of them are men and women,l
are preparing themselves for higher
schools Already Cornell College
has had one young lady from tlle
"Home" preparing her for "a classical
course.
Mr.. aud Mrs. Tucker seem To be
the right man and woman In the
right place. They devote all their
Ell erpy and talents To the improve.
ment of tue "Home" and comfort of
it, inmates.
! Among many Improvements intro
duced, il that of grouping the chill
dren IA much as possible in families
at the table. This plan brings male
and female, brother and sister, three
times day around the same table.
There they unite i'm singing the
praises of God and all bow around
the same altar in prayer 10 our
heavenly Father, thus keeping up as
far as possible the idea of home aud
its sacred influences. All unite In
giving this plan their appreciation.
Many of the children told me that
they would not return to the old plan
under any consideration. The chill
| dren arm not so noisy, they observe
better decorum In every respect.
/ The singing is much better, for more
of the boys sing than before. | re-
spectfully recommend Mr.. Pierce,
| the Superintendent at Davenport. at
IT, try this plan. | think he will
I find IL a decided Improvement.
| Allow me tn call the attention OF
the Representatives of the people to
one very Important matter connected
with the interests OF the Ornhans of
our soldiers. Al present the policy
seems to be To send these children
away at the age of l6 Is this right !?
Are they fitted fer life at that age? !?
+ An appropriation of few thousand
dollars to Start mechanic shops, with
millinery and dress making for the
girls. aud residence there Of from
two To- fonr years. would lie money
well spent. Money invested in this
way would yield some thirty, some
sixty, and some hundred fold. /
would say to the Legislators of Iowa,
don't listen to the clamor OF poliii-
cians; don't heed the entreaties of
different sections for favorite appro-
| prinlions to the neglect of these rep
rrsentalives of our fallen heroes
Remember we promised these noble
fallen dead, before men, angels, and
GOd. that their dear children should
be cared for. You have the power.
You have the means. for you know
the people will respond nolly as
heretofore. Thus far the Home"
has been success. Now new
necessity Is upon US. We look To-
you for ,he provision necessary. We
will foot tile bills. Remember the
vows made to these men, aud then
remember their children. Give them
tile lnean- to fully equip themselves
/ for The great battle of life. Iowa has
thus far led the way, letus not falter.
| know 4 seem too enthusiastic. /
wish every man and woman I'm Iowa
could see this matter as see IL, and
then there would he no difficulty In
providing all the means necessary To
successfully carry on this noble en-
| terDrise