The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-11
A FREE KINDERGARTEN.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING HELD By
THE LADIES YESTERDAY.
The Praiseworthy sugg estion Of Mr.
Menken Takes Tangible Shape, and q
Great School for the Poor Children of
the City VIII Be the Result.

In response to the suggestion OF Mr.. J.
S. Menken, published some time, calling
for a meeting Of ladies at the Peabody
hotel to take some steps in regard to the
establishment Of a free kindergarten school
in this city, the following assembled in
the ordinary at 3 O'Clock yesterday after
noon Mrs. Robert Mitchell, VIM. Gage,
james Robinson, Darlington Mason, VIM.
Katzenberger, Isaac Katzenberger, Y. N.
Estes, Clarence Selden, Jerome Baxter,
j. S. Anderson, Willie Marks, Mrs. STRAIT
ton, W.. s. Alternately, Burke scarbor-
ough, Dupree, Angus Campbell, T. W.
Brown, Henry Frank, r. NJ. Drake, Z. NJ.
Walworth, J. +. Sellers, Ed. r. Hart, w.
A. Wheatley, J. j. Freeman, Galbreath,
Tom Hanna, Josh. j. Baxter, =. A. Ed
monds, Rachel Gowling, Eustace Semmes
and Misses Mette and Lille Stratton, L.
Peak, Clara Conway, Mary Ellis, Mollie
Il. Marshall, Gertrude Freeman and Miss
Higbee.
The meeting was called to order by Mr..
Menken, who explained in fitting speech
the purposes OF il and the beneficial re-
suits free kindergarten would be to the
city, and the rudimentary training OF the
poor children under the age OF six years.
Ho gave some valuable statistical history
Of the Froebel system, the progress IL has
made in other cities, and the immense
amount Of good that it had accomplished.
The idea he had in his mind was to make
some provision for the care and training OF
the poor children up to the time they could
be admitted into the public schools, which
by an established rule cannot be until they
have reached the age Of six years. To the
kindergarten they can go at The age OF
three years. He recited the fact that there
were great many mothers in the city
who were willing TO work but they could
not leave their small children at home I'M
attended. These mothers could take their
children TO the kindergarten in the morn
ing and call Tor them on their return from
work in the evening. lie also suggested
that IL would be a humane thing for the
ladies 10 provide a cheap lunch, such
rs soup and bread, for. the little
ones at noon. The children by
this means would be surrounded
with healthiul and refining influences,
their youthful minds improved and pre-
pared 80 that when they did enter school
they would have some impressions Of the
advantages offered them. He further sug-
gested that there should also be q commit
tee on clothing. The ladies present had
seen how destitute were hundreds OF chill
dren in the city, when they were prepar-
ing 10 give the children Christmas dinner
last year. Mr.. Menken was interesting
throughout his speech, and the earnesiness
with which he spoke was most cordially in
dorsed by his hearers. Miss Higbee fol-
lowed Mr. Menken in a brief account Of
her experience with the kindergartens and
was thoroughly convinced that IL was the
most admirable system ever devised for
the proper training OF the young. II was
then suggested by Mr.. Menken that the
membership fee be fixed at g; rs for him
self, he would start the list with n subscrip-
ton OF $50. Miss Iligbee and several other
ladies sigliied their willingness 10 sub
scribe $50 each.
A permanent organization was then gone
into, and Mrs. Clarence Sclden was elected
president; MB. Darlington Mason, vice
president; Mrs. Eustace Semmes, treas
urcr; Mrs. VIM. Katzcnberger, secretary,
and Clara Conway, corresponding secTc.
tary.
An executive committee composed oil
the following ladies was appointed by the
president: Mesdames Robert Drake,
chairman; W. A. Wheatley, j. ]. Free.
man, Jos. Andrews, 4. w. Brown, Ed
X. Hart, W. S. Alternately, NJ. Gavin,
jerome Baxter, Angus Campbell, l.. Scar.
borough and Miss Higbee. The duties OF
the executive committee will be 10 look
after the general interests OF the school,
provide clothing, ETC., for tho needy
children.
II was resolved that the next meeting
should be at the same hour on Tuesday
next at the hotel. In the meantime the
committee will endeavor 10 be able 10 re-
port where they can rent a suitable hous,
and the amount Of subscription they car
raise. An excellent teacher will be ~
cured from Boston as the principal OF thS
school, and il Is the purpose Of the ladies'
II they are successful in securing the nee
essary subscription, TO start the school IN
the course OF a few weeks II is certainly
n most laudablc enterprise on the part o
Mr.. Mcnkon and the gcncrous.hcartot
ladies who have undertaken il. II should
not bo permitted 10 fail for lack OF funds.
What you need Is a medicine which Is pure
1 NJ -. a. 4