The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-17
THE SOLDIERS ORPHANS HOME

and the auxiliary corps of the W. r. G. in this
department.
By. and in accordance with, instructions from
the chairman of a committee appointed by the
department president of the W. R. c., visited
the Soldiers Orphans Home on the 2lst and I'D
of November. 1885, for the purpose of taking
observations in regard to the physical, mental
and moral advantages of the place as home for
the orphan children of those to whom we owe a
debt of gratitude aud love. More especially my
mission was to find just where to apply an APP
preparation made by the department at its last
convention. The results of my observations
will now specify in the following manner:
First-Situation and Appearance of the
"Home'-The building fine three story brick,
with mansard roof, stands on rather bold de-
clivity with forest trees surrounding it, and near
enough to the pike to present an excellent APP
pearance The first impression that suggested
itself to my mind in connection with the place
was the need of a landscape gardeners taste and
skill in grading, sloping and laying out the
grounds in an artistic manner; also, how appro-
pirate would it be to pieces of statuary Of his
torical merit. such as one of our martyred Pres
dent Lincoln of our grand old war Governor,
o. p. Morton, or the suggestive group, soldier
and sailor clasping hands over the kneeling or
phans, while the widow stands in the back
ground with hands and eyes uplifted to
heaven in the attitude of prayer and
blessing An inexhaustible spring in
ravine near by furnishes water in abundance
for an artificial lake, and fountain to adorn the
center plat. All these things, while not essential
to comfort would tend much toward identifying
the external appearance of this important piece
of public property. The interior of the building
is thoroughly neat, substantial and comfortable.
Second-The Chldrens Clothng-This I
found to be of good fabric, and we'll made con-
sistlng OF two suits each OF outer garments, and
three Of underwear, for both boys and girls, the
best OF cotton f1annels and wooden goods being
used for clothing The children are all dressed
alike. in such a manner as to be presentable at
any moment of the night in case of an alarm of
fire. Shoes and stockings were good, neat and
comfortable. The goods wisely selected,
and sensibly manufactured on the place for their
use. The boys were clothed in every way as
we'll as would wish care to have my own
son clad.
Third-School Privileges found the schools
IL good and prosperous condition, the discipline
excellent, and the grade work comparing favor
ably with other graded schools of our State,
when we take into consideration the fact that
the pupils come in from various places, from
under all kinds of training, or comparatively
none at all. The pupils seem happy, earnest,
and respectful to their teachers The moral as
We'll as the mental culture, evidently is an inn
portant object with the teachers. The school
building itself / do not admire or
approve of at all, it being a long,
with narrow hall and stairway. low ceilings
and small windows. l do not consider it as COM
pairing creditably with the almost universally
handsome school buildings throughout the great
State of Indiana. Music is taught in connection
with other branches and drawing to some ex-
tent, but not, however, so thoroughly or extern
sively as would wish to see it. particularly for
the boys as initiatory to higher course, when
talent develops.
Fifth-The Library found fine collection of
books just placed upon the shelves of hand
some case The books were judicious selection,
suited to the desires and necessities of children
and youths. in sets and single copies. from the
best authors. These books were purchased
with the appropriation made by the Legislature
last winter the sum being 5000.
Sixth-Employments-Th girls are taught
sewing; also, knitting and general fancy work,
as they become old enough They are also taught
to perform the duties of chamber work IN the
wards, and also to take charge of clothes in the
division rooms SIS monitors The boys, however,
have apparently no employment outside the
school-room This consider detrimental to the
interests of growing lads, my candid opinion
being that there should be shops for the lighter
trades Not that / would, by any means, wish
to see orphans kept in servile manner, but,
simply. given the opportunity, as far
genius, and, also. to be- trained to
habits of activity, for usefulness to them
selves and each other. To be sef-supporting
is to be independent, and the greatest kindness
W0 Cdu SuOW tOWdrOS CuOS0 over WQOm we SGanQ
guardians is to fit them for life of independence
and usefulness. / should most unreservedly
recommend that some of the lighter employ
ments, such as leather-works. ornamental pot
terry and wickerware, or tinworks, be taught
them, not SO much as source of revenue for
either themselves or the State, but as a pleasant
occupation, a few hours each week; also, for de-
veioping physical strength and as culture to
the live boy nature. Many of these boys may
never educate into professional men. and even if
fhavy CHI .11d do do will ho
fence Some of them are undoubtedly our future
skilled artisans-our master mechanics whose
fingers may tingle for the use of implements of
trade. To such is only given the opportunity
for finding and following out the individual pro-
clivity of taste or vent of character.
Seventh-Food and Table Manners found
the food in sufficient variety, and of the best
quality, well cooked and Of the same kind as
teachers and visitors. The children are wel-be-
haved at meals, having no appearance of servil-
ity or of being coerced They seemed to be
free. easy and happy in spirits.
Eighth-Feeblem minded Children found the
feeble minded ones occupying the same build
Ing, but kept aloof from the orphans as com
pletely as can possibly be under the circum-
stances. Although eating at the same time and in
the same hall, yet they are separated by
screen, and as the orphans pass in first beyond
the screen and the feeble minded children last to
the tables-they do not come in contact at all
while there, or in passing i'll and out. Except the
unpleasant fact that their home is one and iden-
tically the same, I cannot see anything spe.
cially detrimental in the case. To me, however
there is feeling of repugnance in that simple
fact The great State of Indiana surely is able
to provide for its helpless imbeciles without in
fringing upon the rights and privileges of the
orphans of her dead heroes.
Indiana soldiers distinguished themselves in
the late war-they gave the best blood and
nerve. and sinew and brain-power they
had. Their record is honorable; it
was no halfway Offering they made,
but compared favorably with that of any other
State of the Union. There was, in their case,
no trying to carry water on both shoulders"
but full, free and generous sacrifice. Let the
great commonwealth, noted for its grand free
school privileges, for its splendid public build