The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-01

The Henry County Pauper Children's Home
To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
1t vas night when we arrived at Dunreith,
thirty-fve miles east of Indianapolis. A con-
veyance was procured and we were soon on our
way to Spiceland, a distance of three miles.
That things are not always what they seem we
are free to admit in the matter of the back seat
of that vehicle, for with the first turn of the
wheels we were made t%-execute a series of gym
nastics not arranged ON our programme. Miss
Fussel, the matron, and her sister Ada gave US
a cordial welcome, and we were soon made to
feel at home. We saw the children happy at
play in their sitting room, and afterwards looked
ON them in their beds. Dressed in long white
gowns, between clean sheets and kept warm by
blankets and comforts. one could scarcely
think of them otherwise than as own
dear children of thrifty. prosperous people. The
commissioners Of Henry county FIVE years ago
realized the fact that a poor house is a ~fearfully
bad school for dependent children. They be-
lieved that, subjected to such sweet influences
as prevail in a %virtuous household, children may
be nodded into good men and good women. To
accomplish this end they purchased seven acres
of ground at Spieeiand, on which they erected a.
plain but substantial brick dwelling. Miss
Susan Fussel, a lady well known for integrity of
purpose and great kindness of heart, was placed
in charge. Since the home was organized. in
1880, about ninety children have been
admitted. These all came from the poor-house.
Homes have been found for one-half the number.
one has died. and twenry-nine remain, eight of
whom are girls. All who are old enough attend
the public schools. and for the wee ones there is
a kindergarten. All children are required to at
tend church and Sundays school. There is no
| popularity Of dress to distinguish them from
other children, and good, wholesome food is pro-
vided for them. No specified dietary is permit
ted, and bean day" and soup day" are I'M
known. A large garden patch is attached to the
Miss Fussers supervision. Small fruits are also
raised sufficient to satisfy their needs. The cul-
~tivation of flowers is made of great moment, and
every year quantities of tsbe rose bulbs
Each child has a bed of flowers to
do with what he pleases, and from
the beginning to the end of the season boauets
adorn the dining-room, placed by the children at
their own sweet wills. We were much interest
ed in the kindergarten department., in charge
of Miss Ada Fussel. Some very fine specimens
of work were shown, which reflects credit on
teacher as we'll as on pupils. This school for the
little ones is in an adjoining building, owned by
the matron and loaned for the purpose. One
would suppose that birthdays had little signif-
canoe in a home like this. but each one is re-
membered and made happy by some little toxic
of remembrance. The older girls assist in house
work, and are taught to sew and knit. We could
not help contrasting the happy lives
of these children, neat and clean
ly, surrounded by good influences, receiving
the advantages of education. and learning provi-
dent habits, with the children yet in our poor
houses, neglected, idle and vicious, knowing
nothing of the merry joyousness of childhood,
existing only to swell the pauper ranks. and be-
come a burden to the tax payer. The county
provides the home and pays 30 cents per day for
each child's maintenance. This covers the whole
expense. Other counties in the State have
adopted this plan. and our own will not be slow
to follow when cur people realize that this is the
most humane in its purpose, and the one best
calculated to do permanent good to our most
helpless dependents j. f. G.