The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-29
A GIFT TO BE REMEMBERED.
The Story of the Hoffman Children
Touches the Hearts OF 4Little Misses.

The Story of the Hoffman Children
Touches the Hearts Of 4 Little Misses.
Among the contributions to the Johns
town sufferers that by four little
girls of this city is not among the
least. A couple Of weeks ago Nellie Abra-
hams, Sallie Coburn, Jennie Holt,
and Laura Baker formed a society to aid
the Hoffman, children. They had read the
story of the Hoffman, family and de-
termined to contribute something to the
orphans relief. They planned an ice cream
feetival which they held a few days later,
and raised over $25, which has been sent to
the Northern Home for the Friendless to be
expended for the Hoffman, children.
A lady friend Of the young misses wrote
TO phil4nthropic friend in Philadelphia in
regard to the children, and she received this
reply:
NORTHERN HOME FOR FRIENDLEss CHILDREN. I
PHILADELPHIA. June 10, 1889. (
DEAR MADAME-YouF kind letter of the 18th,
concerning the Hoffman children, who were
bereft-of parents and elder sister by the Johns
town flood. reached me this morning, and your
kind offer to donate your collection to their
benefit if fully appreciated by both the children
themselves and our home. which has taken
them in don't think you could find more
worthy object on which to bestow your gifts.
There are nine of the children. and the flood
swept away father, mother. elder sister, home,
clothing and everything they had, only
their precious lives being saved. They
range in age from little girl 10 months
old to the oldest sister who is about sixteen.
They are very nice set Of children. and deeply
appreciate every kindness extended to them.
They are all here now In our home are all at
tending school now, except the two smaller
ones, and we propose to keep them here and
thoroughly educate them and fit them for lifeas
duties unless they should be claimed by near
relatives, which is by no means probable. They
are of good family, but all of their near rela-
tives were swept away. At the same time
your letter was received our SUPERINTENDENT,
MrsJ. E. Mowbray, received one from Column
bus, o., containing Sl1 rs which had been dona-
ted by Sunday-school in that city to the
ooT9pffman children. You can little imagine
how gladdened their hearts we're when Mr..
Mowbray told them that people and children
way down in Georgia and out in Ohio, were
sending on their collections to aid them. They
told him to send their love and gratitude, and
slthe 16-year-old girl. Anna by name, said: ''Mr.
Mowbray please thank the kind friends for us,
and tell them that Savannah and Columbus
lgih always be precious words to U.S."
And in their name deeply. and sincerely
thank the blessed children whose gifts you
proffer, and assure you that every penny shall
be religiously used for their sole and exclusive
benefit. We are daily expecting the arrival of
3, box of clothing from New Orleans, as we re-
}sceiked telegram that one had been forwarded.
SaAall sections are uniting in the effort to ale
viate the sorrows and supply the needs of these
little ones. God bless you generous, warm
hearted southern people, who seem SO ready
and willing to helpthe needy and stricken.
You will please send your contribution by ex-
y, press or posto4iIce order any way you think
best, to our kind-hearted superintendent, Mr.. j.
f. Mowbray. who will receive and receipt for it,
and see that it reaches the very purpose for
which you intended it,, AS l leave the
city tomorrow and will be gone about
six weeks you will please write to Mr. Mowbray,
addresssgiyen below, when YOU send the money
also send it to him, and tell him in your letter
if there is any special manner you would like to
have the money applied, and he will see that
your wishes are fully carried out. Again, let
me thank you. Miss Ely accompanied me as a
friend, but has no connection with our home.
Veryrespectfuly, MAGGIE M. WALK.
A few days later the contribution was
sent on, accompanied by the following
letter:
SAVANNAH, June %, 1889.
Mr.. J. e. MotDbrdy, Superintendent Northern
Home for FFseadless Children, PHILADELPHIA
Pa:
DEAR SIR-we send you herewith a check on
New York for S25 67. TO be appropriated as in
your judgment may seem best for the benefit of
the Hoffman children. who were bereft of par
ents by the late disastrous flood at Johnstown.
Some days ago we met in Forsyth Park. in this
city, and discussed the newspaper reports of
the dreadful calamity. We are four Young
girls, aged II TO IL, but our hearts were full of
sympathy for all of the sufferers and especially
We're we moved by the narrative relating to the
Hoffman children. We determined to make
some effort in their behalf and decided upon
an ice cream festival; then selected day. and
went around among our friends asking them to
come to our entertainment The result was the
collection of the amount above stated, which
we send with the hope that it will relieve some
of the immediate needs of the dear orphan
children. We have a very kind letter from Miss
Maggie E. Walk, giving us your address, and
some account of the Hoffmans, and it has made
US feel glad that we could give them some COM
fort though our contribution is but mite
You will notice that each member of our little
club is an officer. Very respectfully.
NELLIE ABRAHAMs, President,
SALLIE CoBURN, Treasurer.
JENNIE HoLT Vice President,
R.r