The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-21
FArHERLEss AND MorHERLEss.
Celebration of the Thirty-First Anniversary
of the indianapolis Orphan Asylum
Reports of Officers, Etc

The thirty first anniversary OF the Indianapo-
lis Orphan Asylum was observed yesterday
afternoon, at Roberts Park Church, by appro-
pirate exercises. The attendance was not near
as large as it should have been nor as it would
have been had it been known what rare and
wholesome entertainment it was to be- The lit
tie ones we're bright and clean, and quite as
clever as anybody's children. The younger ones
have had the benefit of kindergarten instruction;
while the older ones have enjoyed the benefits of
the common school system. The programme of
songs and recitations gone through with by the
children, from the smallest to those ten and
eleven years old, was well done and each num-
Der received merited approval.
The report of the secretary, Mrs. Amelia
Wells, commented on the kindness and eff
cheney of the matron, Mrs. L. B. Wishard, and
her assistants, and the generous support the
asylum had received from various sources.
Mrs. Anna G. Bags, treasurer, submitted a
report showing total of receipts for the year of
$1l,213 50; expenditures, $10,952.05; balance
in treasury, $261.50
Mrs. Hannah T. Hadley, president, made a
brief address. She said that these children
come from every grade of society, and many of
them, though of tender age, have been exposed
to the most degrading associations. The chill
dren have religious exercises at each meal, and
morning and evening worship. They frequently
assemble in the schOol-room in the evening and
have little social and literary entertainments.
During the winter they had an interesting sew
ing school, which they greatly enjoyed. While
the girls were en- gagged in sewing and the
boys in joining carpet-rags, some read
aloud from book suited to their capacity
of understanding. Wa rejoice to believe
sorrows Of Childhood are sootSed and cemforted
and that there is a halo of Christian love and
kindness thrown around the inmates, who are
Taught by precept and example the joy of a low
ing household The children under care have
been OF an unusually dependent age. OF the 80
now IN the asylum only two are twelve years
80 of whom have been placed in homes, l03
have been returned to relatives or friends,
have been sent TO the house of refuge and
to the reformatory for girls. There have been
II deaths, all of whom were infants of the
most tender age. Since the keeping Of records in
the institution began over 1000 children have
been the objects OF its care. Many aban-
doned children whom it has sheltered, and for
whom homes have been found, now useful
and honored members of society.
The managers of the asylum have long needed
more room, as they desire to extend their good
work to meet the greater demands that are
made upon them. Hundreds of children deserted
by their parents and growing up in vice and
misery would then find a place IN this institu-
ton and receive care that would be OF benefit
to the community. The petition was filed
short time ago with the county commissioners
(sgned by nearly all the largest taxpayers of
this city,, asking for $4,000 for the asylum.
This amount would enable the managers to COM
pete the good work they design. They already
have the plains drawn for the buildings they
require.
A pathetic incident occurred during the exer-
cises. Flora Edwards, a little girl eight or nine
years old, was on the programme to recite mo
body's Child" She had hardly started before
her voice began to tremble and she burst into
tears: The touch of nature struck sympathetic
chord and there was not dry eye in the audi
ence as the little orphan concluded her recta-
ton.
Dr. Houghton and DR.. Arthur T. Person made
BRIEF addresses, and collection was being
taken up 1t was suggested that subscriptions of
$40 would be received from those who desired to
help the asylum. The following persons each
subscribed that amount: Rev. A I. Pierson,
Senator Harrison, Judge Martindale, Thomas w.
u. ThOmpsOn and A. W. Coffin.