The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-29
HELP FOR THE FRIENDLESS
"A Charity That Rarely Comes tOthe Pub
lie, but 1t Is Accomplishing Much.
Unfortunate and Homeless Women Find in 1t
Way to Self-SuppOrt and Comfortable Liv-
ing-The Economies Constantly Practiced.

One of the public institutions about which
little is heard is the Home for the Friend
less, on North Tennessee street, at the cor
ner of Ninth. Here, in a quarter square, is
large square building of brick. sur
rounded by garden of vegetables and
flowers, with a narrow strip or lawn In
front. When the reporter called there the
other day, Mrs. Bullett, the matron, was
found in the yard attending her flowers.
She is typical for the position, somewhat
portly, with face full of kindness and
strength. The institution would put to
shame the efforts of some of the very best
housekeepers. for from garnet to cell
Jar everything is spotlessly clean. There
are fifty rooms in the building, and all
but few are furnished. Those that are
empty are used for storage, and the effects
from several households in the city are
packed in them. the rent paid for the stOr-
age being a portion of the earnings of the
place. The home is now in its twenty-frst
year. and on Sept. q next Mrs. Bullet
pnd principal manager. The home was
founded by women and has a board of
women directors, Mrs. T.. p. Haughey be-
ing the president. A committee of gentle
matters of Importance. There are accom-
modati6ns at the home for from seventy
i've to hundred women If means were
plenty. As it Is the average Is about thirty.
Any woman who has no home or friends Is
welcome there. and may stay until some
provision is made for her. Women and
girls who are discharged from the hospital
may go there until such time as they are
able to work OF go elsewhere. From ali the
institutions they go, and last summer three
women who had been sent from the Insane
Hospital were given a home there for some
weeks. The coming is voluntary on the
part of the women, and to a certain extent
is also the leaving, the only request on the
part of the management being that the
matron shall know where the woman goes.
While in the home every one is com
PEELED to help. Those who know how
TO work must do so, and those who do not
are taught sewing, cutting and fitting.
cooking. washing, ironing and nursing
Requests Tor help come from all over the
State, aud when one desires, and can be
well recommended, she may be sent. One
German woman has become a proficient
nurse. and will be able to go out this fall
TO engagements. Wet-nurses are often sup
piled
The inmates are drifting population.
.Homes are found for many. while some I'M
girls sent to t or taken
are from 100 to 100 who are given single
rnight's lodging. They take in any one.
old OF young, till something can be done,
needed. clothes are furnished. The inmat ties
are taught clean habits and no one is there
for six months who does not save some
thing. Many who apply for admittance
There is one woman whom the township
trustee took to the home one night, ex-
pecting to take her to the poOr-farm the
next day. The day proved to be stormy
and so he did not come for her for several
days. 1t seemed pity to take her there SO,
after consultation. it was decided to keep
her at the home, to see if something could
not be done for her. She was taught
for some of the best families in
the city and is always in demand.
That was thirteen years ago. She still
makes her home at the institution. and
larry for her room and board. She is only
there Sundays. or day now and then. She
has also saved quite an amount,
The home is wOrking-girls lodging
house, and if any for time are out of work
they may go there and stay, freely as
- any Young woman enjoys her own home in
the city: The institution is almost self
supporting. The city and county each al
low $50 a month. and there is a small per-
manent income from the legacy which the
late Mr.. Peck left. BY taking in
sseTns thas quitting home and m mRakns from
$500 to $500 a year, and the garden brings
in several hundred dollars more, besides
supplying every vegetable eaten on the
Practiced; for instance, one box of matches
lasted over year. This was before nat
ural gas came into use. Then two crops of
vegetables are planted each year. The
day the reporter called one woman was
spading a space for turnips, and she was
determined to have them in the ground
that day: for sho had heard a farmers
you'll have turnips, wet or dry" and they
would all be in before night.
Small leaves had also made
an appearance above ground for
fall lettuce. Ifit were not for most eco
n0mical management, the home would be
the building is out of debt and in good re-
pair; Natural gas has been put in, and
while the pipes are all in for illuminating
gas, none is used, oil furnishing all the
light Three extras have to be paid for
this year: The street Improvement, new
about 500. There is not man on the
place; every bit of work is done by
women Mrs. Bullet leads in everything
and all are ready and willing to do what
ever she does. and from pc ssible down
ward course many are given
held each Sunday in the ' north s,is front ont
room, which has been fitted up for chapel,
with chairs, table and an organ. The
first Sunday in each month some one from
the Friends Church takes charge of the
services; the second Sunday the Method
lists, the third Sunday the Christians. and
the fourth Sunday the Presby terians In
case of there being fifth Sunday some one
of the board of managers volunteers to send
some one to conduct the religious exercises
The whole atmosphere is one of cleanliness
and quiet, and the place is In reality home
Tor the friendless.
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