National Republican., 1883-07-10
A REFoRMAroRY FOR WOMEN.
Munificent GIFT Of Miss Anna Smith for
the Establishment OF House OF the
Good sheDhcrd

Munificent GIFT OF Miss Anna Smith for
the Establishment OF n House OF the
Good Shepherd.
For the past three years THE REPUBLICAN
has urged that steps be taken to secure the
establishment in this city of reformatory
for girls. The police court reports frequently
show the arrest of young girls, some Of them
not over Is to l6 years old, for leading dis
reputable lives, and in the absence of any
roformatory institution they are sent to the
worlShouse, where they consort with those
older and more hardened in sin than them
selves. Asa result, they leave tho workhouse
at the expiration of their term confirmed in
their evil life and ply their Illicit voca-
tion until they are again captured
and again sent down. 1t is not to
bo believed that all these young girls
are Ss and it is but TSas0@aHc conG to to
saved from life of shame, and be made hon
est and virtuous ifthe proper influences were
brought to bear upon them. The necessity of
n areformatory for women in this city has also
been repeatedly urged upon congress by the
district authorities but without avail.
Now, however, an institution which shall
have for its object the reformation of women
has been established through the liberality
and philanthropy of Miss Anna Smith, who
has presented to the House of the Good Shep-
herd the large residence, with the spacious
grounds attached, on the east side of Ninth
street, between X and l. streets northwest.
The house. which is No. 1917 Ninth street, is
old fashsoned in build with wide windows
and roomy Railways. The grounds front 10i
feet on Ninth street and are about 200 feet
deep. They are filled with trees and
shrubbery and attract the attention of
the passers by. This property, which was
the homestead of Miss Smiths father. the
late Rear Admiral Joseph Smith, u. s. N,
who was known as "the father of the moni-
tors" is valued at $4,000. 1t was willed,
together with other property, by the late adj
miral, who left a large fortune to this
daughter, his only remaining child. Hissou,
Joseph Smith, jr., was killed in battle while
in command of the Congress off Fortress Mon
roe, and Commodore Alfred Smith, the other
son, died not long after, while chief Of the
bureau of equipment in the Navy depart
ment. Since her fathers death Miss
Smith has resided at the homestead,
and has led very retired life. She has
however been noted for her many acts of
transformations charity, and this deciding of
the property for the philanthropic purpose
mentioned, is but in keeping with her whole
life. She determined upon the scheme some
time ago, but kept the matter perfectly quiet
until the arrangements should be completed.
A delegation of the Sisters Of the Good Shep-
herd from Baltimore have come on and are
already in possession of the premises al
though they have not yet begun their
charitable work, as it will be necessary
| to make some alterations and improvements
in order to adopt the houses and grounds to
its new uses. Among other things wall will
be built around the grounds. When the house
is thoroughly arranged the sisters will be
permanently established in it, although this
home will, for a time Mt least, be branch of
the Baltimore house, which has done great
deal of good in the reformation of women and
has reclaimed many who have been sent there
from this city.
Miss Smith will continue to reside in this
city and the poor in st. Patrick's parish will
have cause to bless her bounty in the future
as they have in the past.
WALTERBoRo, s. CDR. J. NJ. Klein SAYS