Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-26

ing at 1917 Seventh street, and to the formal
opening Of the Home for tie use of aged
Gsntlewomen." The institution was founded
by Mrs. E. B. Crccker, lady widely known
throughout the State for her broad beneyo-
lsnca and unstinted charities, and which have
decay. Concerning this Home the Trustees,
Albert Gallstip, John H. Carroll, G.. L. SIM
mons, Charles McCreary and Frank Miller,
in circular issued at the reception last even
ing, say:
The Home consists of large and elegant build
ing two stories and basement, located on the ha
block bounded on the west by Seventh street and
on the south by street. The entire premises
have ben thoroughly rebuilt and fitted for the uses
named, making luxurious residence that should
satisfy the most fastidious.
This portion of the city is considered the very best
for health and comfort. Mrs. Crocker intends to
add other buildings in the future. The grounds
are well kept and provide large and secluded park
wherein the occupants walk rest in the shade
of numerous trees
The parlor, reception, dining and other public
rooms have been deliberately frescoed decorated,
carpeted and furnished. Pictures and books have
also been supplied literally.
There twenty-fou- bedrooms, each contain
ing CRATE, clothes press, handsome furniture and
clrpeted, and open to the sun; each room is intend
ed for one person only.
This property which cost S3S, O0O together with
S62, 900 in bonds making total donation OF $780,,
900, has been decided by Mrs. Crocker to five
Trustees, to be held and used trust for the pur
poses named.
The immediate direction Of the Home is placed
with Board OF five ladies (the wives Of the Trus
tees)
Through the liberality of Mrs. NJ E. Crocker
individual endowment funds have been established
sufficient to provide for the support Of aged ladies
of limited means. Applications for the benefit of
these endowments and inquiries for terms of admis
sion for those who can pay, must all be addressed
TO the Trustees, who have entire charge of the al
mission of applicants, at No. 1917 Seventh street.
The above description is modest one, the
fittings being that of an elegant home. To
the right of the main entrance is a large par.
lor, which is used as reception room. Across
the hall is another of q similar size, which is
used as an office by the Directress. These
rooms are furnished with rich carpeting and
other articles from the Crocker mansion. In
the parlor is life-sizad portrait in oil of Mrs.
Z. B. Crocker.
The dates 1924 and 1884 on the card Of in-
vitatioD referred to an event CONFIDENT With
the opening of last evening-to wit, that it
was the sixtieth anniversary of the birth of
the estimable founder of the Home" The
occasion therefore was Of dual interest, and
the date was a most happy choice for the
first formal opening to the public of the
worthy institution, inasmuch as it enabled
the old and the new friends Of Mrs. Crockar,
who have SO long known OF her many cbari.
table uses OF wealth. and Of which this city
has hundred or more of testimonials, to pay
their respects to the lady, and to wish her in
sincerity mary long, happy and useful years
of life. Whoever attended last evening. and
witnessed these congratulations, could not
have failed to be impressed with
their heartfelt character, and the warmth
and profound sincerity with which they were
rendered. The building from top to bottom
was thrown open to guests, and their jnspec-
ton invited of every part They were suffi.
GENTLY numerous to De numbered by several
hundreds, and to Eli the spacious structure in
every part. The Invitations were limited to
married people. On approaching the house
the walks and entralee-ways were found to
6e illuminated by numerous lanterns of high
colors In hall, psrlors. reception-rooms and
dining hall there we're noticeable tasteful
distribution of rare plants, trailing vines,
bouquets, and unique designs in flowers,
foliage plants, etc-a style of decoration
carried to just the right degree and
not particle overdone. In addition
were many besu!iful and rich floral testi-
monials addressed to Mrs. Crocker-bouquets
from MIR. and Mrs. L. Msbius; floral horse
shoe from Leila J. Lindley; floral basket
from Mrs. J. II. Carroll lovely basket of
rich flowers tom Mrs. G. II. Ross; beauti-
ful temple of rare flowers from Mrs. w. r.
Mr., and Mrs. Charles McCreary aud Mrs.
Frank Miller; miniature sofa il flowers by
Mrs. Il iwa-d Csdwalader F; a basket of
lovely cameliiss from Mira. G. II. Hubbard
q choice collection of flowers from Mrs @. L.
Simmons. On the dining table was lovely
a raj design Of temple arch, surmounted
by a dove with outspread wings,
and On the dining-room mantel a
beautiful hJral fan and other
decorations provided by Mrs. Croker. Early
on the assembling of the company, and while
the main parlors were filled, Mrs. Crocter re-
uuested the attention of the Trustees she had
named and 10 quiet manner read to them
letter rendering to them the possession of tire
property snd stating briefly and modestly the
purposes for which she desired the property
to be used. At the same time che handed to
the Trustees deed of the property, with the
expressed value of S3S. 600; also bonds of the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company for $780,
900 and q check for the cash sum OF S12, 000-
these funds being intended to endow the
Home with sufficient income to enable the
Trustees to begin and maintain the good
work, with such other aid as they may de-
wise.
DR.. G.. J.. Simmons, in behalf of the Trus-
tees named, received the letter of expressed
wishes, the Decd bonds and money. He
thanked the lady in the name of humanity
for her gift TO q good cause, and in behalf of
himself and fellow Trustees gave the pledge
that her desires should be faithfully carried
out. and the trust discharged with fidelity to
its purpose. J. II. Carroll then introduced
his Honor, Igor Brown, who, in eloquent
and feeling terms, in behalf of the municipal
ity Of Sacramento, thanked the lady for her
liberaiity, her hundreds of charities, her de-
votion to the city of her home, and her open
hand and sympathetic heart for the poor, the
suffering and the distressed. Mr.. Carroll
then introduced Joseph Steffins as President
OF the Board of Trade. Mr.. Stetfens, in
warm and earnest words, that awoke respon-
siye echo in every heart, thanked Mrs.
Croker in behalf of the business men of the
city for her gift to the city of the beautiful
hcme and the rich endowment with which
she had given it its initial energy. He re-
ferred in warm terms to the esteem in which
the donor is held in this city, aid the liberal
uses she conetantly made of the wealth in her
possession, to the relief of the suffering and
the advancement of worthy enterprises in
Sacramento.
Mr.. Carroll then introduced Rev. J. A.
Benton, of Oakland, who YVES a pioneer
clergyman in Sacramento. Mr.. Benton made
feeling address. and spoke earnest and sin.
cere words of praise for the founder of the
charity thus formally opened. He wss
especially eloquent in referring to the work
as the result Of the early Christian training
of the founder. He held that such culture
produces such results, aud where there is 10
Christian stimulus or surroundings such
liberal institutions these are unknown.
The company was then informed that
luncheon was prepared for all. and for three
or four hours thereafter the oining-hall was
crowded. Here Peterson, acting as caterer
and aided by a large body Of assistants.
served an elegant luncheon of salads. sand
witches. cakes in variety, COLLECTIONS, ices,
coffee, tea, lemonade. etc. The guests were
unanimous in their complimentary criticisms
of the appointments of the institution. On
every hand there were the evidences OF COM
fort and in many respects of elegance. It
was noticeable that there was nothing cold
about any part of the fittings, but warmth in
color, material and ornamentatioD, from the
hssvy carpatings aud curtain haDgings to the
adornments CT the walls and the appoint
ments alike OF parlor, chsmbers, halls and all
the rooms of the buildings and the spacious
and ornamental grounds surrounding. 10 a
small reception.room on the left of the
main hall the guests entered their names
in the Home" register. During The even.