Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-20
A NOTICEABLE OFFER.
Miss Maggie BasendOrf Offers a
Nucleus For a Home
TO SHELTER UNFORTUNATE WOMEN
Her Home and $1,000 in Cash Generously
Donated.
SHE ASKS CHRISTIANS TO AID HER

scheme has progressed so far that it is al.
most an assured fact. The originator ot
the project is Miss Daisy Hutchinson, who
has reformed, whose proper name is Miss
Maggie Basendorf, and who recently figured
in a case in court, through which hn effort
was made to have her declared insane.
Miss Basendorf has made a complete
reformation, and with desire to aid others
to do the same, has made an offer of 81 900
and the use of her property on Second ave-
nue. if the church people OF Pittsburg and
Allegheny will maintain the Home and in
sure its proper management.
An informal conference was held in the
parlors Of the Smitbfeld Street M. E.
Church on Monday afternoon, where Miss
Basendorf explained her plans to Rev. G.
E. Locke, and several members of his own
and other congregations.
A COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
The matter was discussed for some time,
and the conference resulted in the appoint
ment of a Committee on Plan of Work,
which is to look into the matter further and
report at general meeting of ministers and
church workers 10 be held at the same place
on Friday afternoon.
The scheme leaked out yesterday afternoon
at the meeting of the County W. G. 7. U,
by Mrs, r. H. Jones, Chairman of the De
partment of Social Purity. She said that
the church people and particularly the tenn
perance workers, had been too mindful Of
the welfare of men and had almost forgotten
the women. Mrs. Jones has taken a great
interest in Miss Basendorf, since the latter's
reformation, and spoke very kindly of her,
rrhon she raforrod IN hor afforfa in hoho1f of
the unfortunate individuals, who get little
but derision and ridicule from the
world, when an honest effort for
said an opportunity was offered now for
the church people to help fallen humanity,
and if the same zeal were TO be manifested
in a vigorous effort to bring about con-
summation of the project as there is in dis
cussing what ought to be done, the Home
will be established.
A DISPATCH representative talked with
Miss BaSendorf in the parlors of the Cres-
lady appeared in loose fitting gown, with
beautiful growth of wavy black hair, fall
ing gracefully over her shoulders Her
black eyes sparkled with eagerness and en-
thusiasm as she spoke hopefully of an inter-
effect her cherished scheme.
A woMAN's SINCERITY.
~ want to see what this religion is that
people talk so much about. have reformed,
and see an opportunity for rescuing scores
of poor, unfortunate girls from wsyward
life if the proper inducements are offered
them. 1 have made an offer of 81, 900 as a
nucleus for fund to maintain the Home,
and if the people go about it in the right
spirit, and more money is needed, will
give more. But want to say
right here, that there is no
use in establishing this Home
unless the church people, who profess to be
Christians, will try to lift up the girls, take
them into their own homes, or get them en-
ployment in other respectable homes. The
girls cannot always live in the Home. And
if they are not treated as other girls are; if
they are not put on level with other peo-
pie and restored to society they will not stay
in the Home. and all the efforts made in
their behalf will be of no avail.
There are some girls who, of course, can
not be reached. But there are many who
have just commenced to lead an improper
life, who, by the right kind of effort, can be
rescued. Ii young women who have been
unfortunate were taken care of in the Home
and had some one to say kind word to
them and assist them in getting homes, they
could be saved.
NOT PROPER PLACES.
1.-THE hospitals are not the proper places
for girls of this kind. They pay dearly for
very bad treatment, and then have a re-
lection upon their character that goes with
them wherever they go. Men can do what
they choose, and go into the best society
with their heads above reproach, but when
B woman once makes misstep, the world is
against her."
1.-The public will no doubt make harsh
remarks as to your sincerity in this matter"
the reporter.
mo Christian man or woman will ques- |
ton my motives, and don't care what the |
other people say about me. I have |
reformed and I want to see if |
some of these good Christians who have so
IS earnest about the welfare of their COM
non humanity as they claim they are. They
ire not any better than poor girls for whom
am now making this appeal. When they
lie they will not be able to take any more
With them than will those who are less
Now is the time for the church
people of this community to make grand
fort to save souls.
Miss Basendorf said her property at 70
second avenue was leased for five years,
'ut if the orders given out by the city
authorities to close up such places are
n!ored she would grant the use of it free for
he first year and make good her other offer.
'he is not particular where the
HOME Is LOCATED
o that it is established on broad liberal
principles. It must be for unfortunate
7omen of all classes and creeds; place
7here girls may be aided to regain re-
pect for themselves and desire for pure
ife.
A call was made at the home of Rev. c.
:. Locke last evening, but he refused to say
nything about the project. Mr.. Locke,
owever, is very much interested in the
roposition made by Miss Basendorf, and
7ill make an effort to have as many minis
ers at the meeting on Friday as possible.
Mrs r. II. Jones was seen and said she
hought the Home would be established.
he recited as an instance of the necessity
such place that two young girls who
anne to this city a short time ago from
O., who had been driven from
ONE by their mother, will get out OF Jail
Ills morning without home to go to, with
ut any protection whatever.
The Rev. J. T. McCrory said he would CO.
perate in an effort to have the Home estab-
shed. He said all church people ought to
Miss Basendorf in her desire TO
o good, and thought if the proper appeal
ere made there would be no trouble In
using the necessary fund for the mainten-
nee of the Home.