Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-03

i
It's Origin aud :, Ilisfory--How n II
ManagoA-Th0 Strict Rules Against
Tfamps-The Accom- paOaatiOnS En-.
joyed By tho Lodger~, &C.
The night lodging house opened this year
under new, and 1t 10 hoped, brighter auspices
than in any preceding year. This practical charity
was Incorporated and established in 1870 by q
number Of gentlemen, Including also some OF
the most benevolent ladies Of this District ct a
time when there was much suffering among the
poor Of this District, aud very many cases of
restitution and suffering among persons coming
here from the states to present claims against
the government. Among this class were many
feeble old men and women from the rural dis
| tricts, ignorant of the methods OF transacting
business with the government observation-disclosures
in purse and without the means of living In
Washington hotels and boarding houses In
very many cases fathers came to look after
money due their sons lost In the war. soldiers
widows to secure pensions, or to endeavor to
unravel intricacies in the meshes of red tape,
which kept them from their monthly or quar-
terry moiety. and hundreds Of cases of real hard
ship are remembered and related by the
managers and superintendent of the lodging
mousse. Alter the abandonment by the police Of
THE OLD CENTRAL GUARD HOUSE,
that building was taken possession of by the
ties and the cells and dormitories fitted up for
their use. 1t was used until the present year.
when theOld guard house anAgrounds were sold
and rebuilt for private business purposes which
forced the managers to seek elsewhere for &C
commodatons. 1t was finally determined by
them to purchase suitable building and
grounds exclusively for their purpose, which has
been done, the property adjoining the new fifth
precinct station house having been selected
This property was bought on reasonable terms,
ana the building very well adapted for the pur-
pose intended, having many rooms There
are however, many Improvements in contem-
patlon after the purchase money is collected.
rms charity being supported entirely by contri-
buttons. the purchase money will also have to
come from the same source. The institution is
not what many suppose it to be-a 'harbor for
tramps." This class, as rule, give it the cold
shoulder rather than submit to the regulations
Imposed. No one is admitted without ticket,
which Is obtained from the police station-house
keepers, who are instructed to give none to per-
sons who have the smell Of LIQUOR on their
breath.
HOW LODGERS ARE TREATED.
Admission being obtained the applicant ia
taken to the bathroom, where he undergoes a
thorough washing all over with either cold or
warm water, as is preferred: hts clothing is put
In separate crib and good, long, warm night
shirt given him for the night. He is given good
wholesome beef and vegetable soup and the best
o OF bread a. tor S.o supper and bread and
out to look for work. Three nights are
allowed for each person to enjoy such tree
Inequalities If needed. but in very many cases
employment is found without a days delay,
especially by mechanics and artizans. "A better
class persons have been benefited this year than
ever before, indicating that the genus '.tramps'
are growing scarce year by year. Quite num-
Der OF the needy poor of our own District have
ayaed themselves occasionally of q bed and
GpIn home iNk
stances. colored woman sixty years old came
from Baltimore to look for her three children a
few nights ago, and arriving on a late train
without any means to pay for supper and bed
was directed by the police to this place. where
sine was made comfortable and the next morn
ing she started out and hunted up her children,
who are all employed and doing we'll Another
old woman, white. 70 years old from q neigh
boring state. applied one night last week for
lodgings. 1t was cold night when she arrived,
and she was nearly frozen and very hungry
She was in search of her two boys, whom she
had not heard from for many months, ,aad she
dthey were sick or dead. She STAYED three
days and nights. and finding her lost boys, went
away happy and grateful for what she had re-
ceived.
An attorney about 60 years old. impecunious
from misfortune, living in distant state and
whose only recourse was to press to settlement
claim on the government arrived here not
long ago without dime in his pocket. and was
/
lodging house while he found time to obtain his
just dues These cases can be noted by dozens,
and not night passes that there are not some
very worthy persons who find rest there, and
leave with feelings of true gratitude
BUAMERs. DRUNKARDs AND CHRONIC rRAMPs
are not tolerated there, and it is the purpose of
the managers to discourage all such this season
Frequent visits are made by the members of the
board Of directors to see how the institution
progresses, and speak word Of announcement
to the guests. The superintendent, Mr. Haines,
ID always ready to say or do a kind act, and
make the poor people who are forced to do the
best they can feel at home.
Among those who take great interest in this
institution, and have done much for it, are
Messrs. John I. Mitchell Fred. Mcclure, A s. Solo
mons, Edward Simpson, N. G. Emery and many
others OF our substantial business men.s,.
The average number OF dodgers nightly since
the opening. January 2, this year. has been
about considerably less than the aver
age Of former years.