The Portland daily press., 1886-01-02
THE. ORPHANS AT BATH.
Governor and Council and Trustees
Make an official Visit.
The Children Enjoy an Immense
Christmas Tree.

Thursday evening, the last of the old year
Governor Robie and Councillors Bixby and
Fernald, together with the trustees of the
Institution, paid visit to the Military and
Naval Orphan Asylum at Bath This insti-
tuition, one of those fostered by the State
which are doing vast amount of good, is at
| present in most hourishing condition and
better fitted for the care of the unfortunate
children than ever before in its history. 1t
was incorporated in 1866 for the purpose of
rearing and educating gratutously in the
| common branches of learning and ordinary
| industrial pursuits the orphans and half-or-
| phans of the officers and soldiers from Maine
who entered the service Of the government in
| the rebellion. The ages of the children cared
for range from six months to twenty years.
but at present there are none under three
years or over sixteen. The board of trustees
consists of Col. Chas. b. Merrill of this city.
president; S. F. Snipe, w. II. Watson, d. r.
Wylie, II. a. Duncan and j. G. Richardson
OF Bath, and department commander Gen.
James A. Hall. Mrs. A. Stetson has been
the Matron of the Home for about three
years and a half.
Col. Merrill arrived in Bath on the after
noon train, and at once made a tour of in
spection through the buildings. During the
past year all the buildings have been repair
ed and painted. The old barn in the rear Of
the Home has been remodeled, and now,
with two large rooms, one for the boys and
the other for the girls, serves as a winter
play house. The steam heating apparatus
has been improved, pure water introduced
by means of large windmill, and fire
escapes constructed The buildings contain
all modern conveniences, and everything
seems to have been done for the care and
comfort of the children. The sleeping rooms,
living rooms and dining room, in fact the
whole of the extensive building is neatly
and comfortably arranged. In going through
the building one sees that neatness and COM
fort are the main objects. At the present
time Mrs. Stetson has under her charge s5
boys and 81 girls from all parts of the State.
They are bright looking set of children,
and rank above the average in the common
schools of Bath, where they are educated at
the city's expense. The matron and her
efficient corps of assistants are untiring in
their efforts to do all possible for the unfor-
tunates, and the happy countenances of the
children are Indicative of the attendant sue
cess. The citizens of the State often show
kindnesses which are appreciated, more
especially of course the citizens 81 BAH.
Among the regular lady visitors is Mrs. w.
L. Putnam of Portland People are con-
tinually calling with little presents, such as
articles of wearing apparel, ornaments and
toys, and in this way do much to make the
Home bright Illness is Of rare occurrence.
During the whole of Mrs. Stetson's connec-
tion with the Asylum there has not been
single death, fact quite remarkable when
the number OF children under her charge is
taken into consideration.
1t has always been the custom since the
Home was established to give the children a
holiday festival and distribute presents
among them from a huge Christmas tree in
the general assembly room. Thursday even
ing the annual holiday festival was eele-
brated with more than usual brilliancy
Governor Robie, with the members of his
Council, Col. Merrill and the other officers
OF the Institution, and many of the -gaaa eiti-s-
sstfftf III tne rear stood an immense Christmas
tree laden with presents for the children,
amusing, useful and ornamental The pres
ents are made mostly by the relatives, and
children themselves to each other. Among
the presents ON this occasion worthy OF men
tion was large box of toys and fancy aTti-
cles given by Mr. Eben Jordan, senior mem
her of the firm of Jordan, Marsh q Co., of
Boston.
The exercises of the evening were a de
eided success and must necessarily have
been the result of careful preparation. After
prayer by Rev. Mr.. Stackpole, Miss Mabel
Clark, one of the brightest inmates OF the
Home, delivered from platform welcome
address to the visitors. Following this came
declamations, songs and remarks, all carried
out not only without a single mistake but
with admirable taste.
A touching feature of the evening was the
singing of the old army songs of the fathers.
At the close of the entertainment and just
before the distribution of presents Governor
Robie made very neat off-hand address to
the children which called forth their hearty
applause. He first congratulated them upon
their successful entertainment and then
spoke words of praise to the officers OF the
asylum for the good they had accomplished,
and were accomplishing Il feel, said he,
''that the money which the State has ex-
pended for this object is exceedingly well ex-
pended / have had many occasions both IN
and out of my official capacity to say that
was pround Of the State of Maine, but never
have had more reason to say so than now.
1t gives me great pleasure to feel. that the
State is doing so much good in caring for so
well and educating so well the children OF
her dead heroes"
Ex-Mayor Richardson of the trustees,
whose efforts to make the home success and
certainly not among the least, made a joytal
old Santa Claus and took good care to make
all the children happy with at least hall
dozen presents.
1t is the main object of the officers of the
institution to make it home for the orphans
as good if not better than the home OF the
average boy or girl, and their success Is both
apparent and real.