The morning call., 1890-08-23
OLD PEOPLES HOME.
Dedication and Formal Opening
of the Institution.
Memorial Tablet Unveiled in Honor Of Mrs.
Mary Ann Crocker-1mpressive Ser
vices in the Chapel.


donor, Mrs. Mary Ann Croker. Though
this lady's death occurred soon after, that
fact was not allowed to interfere with the
carrying out of her intentions, and to-day
the structure stands completed, a splendid
monument to her memory. 1t is an example
of Norman architecture, thoroughly
equipped for the purpose it is to serve and
most substantial.
The ceremony of defeating the institu-
ton, which took place yesterday, was at
tended by a fashionable assemblage in
whose honor the building put on holiday
garb of blossoms and foliage. The hall
decorations were particularly noticeable as
they consisted largely of rare orchids and
palms, loaned for the occasion by the Park
Commissioners. The guests, upon their ar
rival, were received by Mrs. d. j. Staples
and the lady managers, who conducted them
to the handsome little chapel where the
Prayer. Rev. j. A. Benton of Oakland :;
Campbell (soprano). Mrs. j. 81. Birming-
ham (contralto), Samuel d. Mayer (tenor),
and w. c. Campbell (basso); dedicatory ad-
dress, Rev. Oliver C. Miller; presentation
address. Colonel Charles Z. Croker; ac-
C6pldHCe Oh TIE lluSt, NndlltS l. -haAlOh =,
soprano solo, "Heavenward," Mrs. Mar
riner-C ampbe Il; address. Rev. j. A. Ben
ton; contralto solo, LET Thy Hand Help
Me-" Mrs. Birmingham; address, w. f.
Brown.
THE ADDRESS.
In making his presentation speech Col
onel Croker explained the object and in
tention OF the foundreSS in the following
words:
In representing the heirs of Mrs. Mary A.
Crocker upon this occasion, L am performing a
solemn but grateful duty. L ask you TO join me
III dedicaing 10 the public Use this edtce, which
has been planned aud constructed under the per-
soael supervision and cost OF our mother.
stand here in the place Of one who II he had
lived, would have explained better than l the
high and generous purposes he had In view
when lie first resolved 10 consecfate portion OF
his means caring for the aged and unfortunate
also. in the place Of her who shared his lofty
aims aud faithfully devoted 10 their fuhllment
her time aud best thought While she lived among
US as a widow.
Those who were nllmate with the late Charles
Croker know that when death overlook him
his mind was fun OF projects for admitting Tie
poor, the aged and the sick TO participate III the
means which Ills energy and his foresight had
acquired; among them was a h ONE Tor Old
people. This project was discussed many times
IN the presence OF their children but their plans
were sui incomplete when death suddenly over
took the father. iDurlDg The nrst S0rr0Wful
weeks OF her widowhUod she turned with a reso-
Lutte purpose TO carry out these partly matuTed
plans and assumed alone the task which had de-
VOWED upon her. She bought this lot ana neso-
tlated contracts for the construction OF this
building; every detail received her personal at
lentlon she resolved that the home should not
only be model of It's kind, but an ornament 10
lhe city aud TO the extent OF its capacIIy should
guarantee to old people comfortable refuge Tor
their last years.
Unnapplly. death once more iuterTered with
these purposes, aud IN the midst of her work
she was summoned TO join whom who had been
her loving partner through life. SO UNEXPECTED
u ia
been made by deed or Wlll-the TILE stands OF
record IN her individual name. Her children
have felt II duty TO carry out her intentions as
fully as II they lad been set fOith IN VIII or
other instrument. The construction oil the build
ing mas accordingly been pushed forward TO
completion, ana II now deyolyes upon Inc, as
their representative 10 hand IL over 10 the IruS-
ices OF Tie home, Which now do through the
delivery OF this letter deed conveying The
property will follow after the heirs OF Mary A.
Croker have acquired tile from her estate
through the Probate Court.
Upon you, sir, and the ladies and gentlemen
who cooperate with you in The adminlstra ion
OF Tie home. Will now deyolye The duty OF TURN
ing TO account its increased capacity Tor useful
ness. You have earned public gratitude Tor the
admirable manner In which you have discharged
your trust during the many years OF the exist
Of your organization. Your opportunities
OF benehceHce VIII now be enlarged. l am told
the greatest number the home has hitherto
sheltered at any one time has been less than
seventy; now nearly 200 can Ina comfortable
and weLIurnshed rooms. | wish TO c0ngratu-
late you tie enjoyment OF the happy privi-
lege of guarding The old and needy against the
sad lot which 1t chiefly dreads-a homeless end
ing TO life. This city aboundS already In admir-
able institutions OF beneyolence, where The
hungry led, the SICK and ln1rm are tended
and The fTendess iiud a kindly welcome. Let
THIS be one among them and gather under It's
bospitabe roof Old men who have survived their
ability to work and aged women berett Of their
natural protectors.
Charles L. Hanlon's reply expressed the
gratitude of the society for its founders
han nft ilx in n
the history Of the home from its establish
ment in 1874. thanked the living members
of the Crocker family for the interest they
took in the completion of the elegant struc-
ture they were now about to occupy.
DR.. Benton's S. remarks were reminiscent.
He recalled the events of year ago, re-
minded his hearers that noble presence
had since passed from their midst, and
urged them to follow in her footsteps to the
haven of rest and home of love. He wished
the institute long career OF usefulness
that it might be trodden by grateful feet,
and be sOlace to its frequenters. lie
closed with a prayer for the welfare OF the
living representatives who took the foun-
der's place, redeemed her pledges and held
her memory dear.
After a glowing tribute to Mrs. Crocker,
W. L. Brown called upon the Trustees to
take counsel together as to the best methods
of administering her noble beguest, and TO
see to it that the home shall be place OF
comfort and rest for those who are looking
out on the sunset OF lie.
IN MEMoRIAM.
AT the conclusion of these exercises the
audience filed out of the chapel and took
part in an impressive ceremony commem0-
rative of the foundress. This consisted in
the unwilling of marble tablet erected by
the lady managers to the memory Of Mrs.
Crocker. 1t is placed in the main corridor,
near the entrance, and exactly over the spot
upon which she stood when laying the
cornerstone. A degree Of s0lemnity was
added to the ceremony by the presence be-
meath the tablet OF an empty chair, which
had been Mrs. Crocker'S favorite chair in
her lifetime. II had been brought from the
family residence for the occasion and was
handsomely decorated with jacauemino.s
and Marechal Neil roses Here the Rev. o.
G. Miller made few appropriate remarks.
after which Miss Mary A. Croker unveiled
the tablet and the Nunc DlmittiS" was
chanted by the choir.
THE HOUSE INSPECTED.
After the unveiling the house was in
spected throughout by the visitors, who ad-
mired the bright and airy rooms, their rich
appointments, and the completeness OF
every detail. 1t will be occupied in week
by the seventy old people, who are at pres
ent sheltered in the old building. In addi-
ton to these there are about hfty new ap-
plicants and others are constantly making
inquiries. There is accommodation for 90
in the building. Applicants are not obliged
to pay an entrance fee, unless they have
means or wealthy friends, but the rules, as
| at present LAID down, require payment OF
| $500 TO insure admission. Poor people, who
are in other respects worthy, may be adj
| mitted without this requirement being en-
forced. The greatest care is taken to pre-
vent undesirable applicants from gaining
| admission, and for this purpose three
months probationary period must be served
by all new corners. The sum of 500 is
charged to cover the expenses of room and
board during this time, at the end of which,
if the applicant and Trustees are satisfied,
the permanent arrangements are concluded.
During the afternoon photographs were
taken of the building from several points of
view, to be used as souvenirs Of the 0cca-
sion.
Edgar Mills has presented check for
$1,000 to the home for the purchase of new
pipe organ. The organ is now being manu-
featured in Oakland.
The electric clocks in the building were
presented by c. V. S. Gibbs.
THE INVITED GUESTS.
Among those present at the ceremony
were
Colonel Charles +. Crocker, Bishop Nichols,
Rev. DR.. Fouie Bishop Fowler, Rev. Dr. Me-