The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-10-29
AGED WoMEN's HOME.
The Annual Meeting and Election Of
Officers Yesterday.

The annual meeting of the Home for Aged
Women was held this afternoon. The Board
of Managers submitted the following report:
The thirty sixth year of this institution ex-
pires with the present month. The house is
full, and the health of the inmates better than
is to be expected when none are younger than
sixty years, and one has reached the advanced
age of ninety. One member of the family has
died during the year, and one has been SENT
by the best medical advice that could be OBJ
tanned, to the Insane hospital at Augusta AS
the managers assume the entire care of their
charges from the day of admission, this re-
moval was made with reluctance, and was
even delayed after it had become a necessity,
from consideration for the feelings of the other
benefciaries who who were ready and willing
to give their companion all the care in
their power, and to bear patiently the
annoyance which she often caused.
Finally when her illness-a disease
of the brain-was found to be
incurable, and attended with danger as well as
discomfort to those around her, she was placed
in a private asylum, and from there transferred
at the wish of the superintendent TO larger
institution, where more satisfactory medical
treatment, and constant attendance could be
given. The managers receive regular accounts
of her condition from the physician in charge
at Augusta, and are convinced from his re-
ports that this disposition of the case was not
only wise measure for the protection of the
household, but that it was the most humane
way of caring for the patient herself.
The kind attention of the inmates to one of
their number, just mentioned, is pleasant in
dication of the state of the home. The man
ayers see in the increased thoughtfulness for
others, and in the cheerfulness of the house.
hold, reflection of the sunny nature of the
matron, whose patience and abnegation of self
and devotion to others" are continually bring
ing good works to those around her. Neither
are the affairs of the house neglected, but her
careful supervision of the necessary sweeping,
busting and cooking is fitting supplement to
her work not done with hands,
The board believes that the unwelcome sub
ject of insufficient finances will not always
thrust itself, as at the present time, into the
public statements of the condition of this as
ISOLATION, but while the income from all in
vested funds is much less than the sum re-
quired for current expenses, some mention of
this fact is inevitable. Thefdefciency is sup
piled in great measure from annual subscrip-
tions, but the amount thus raised is always
more or less uncertain. Subscribers leave town
and no one takes their place; they find the
needs of some other charity more urgent; they
meet with losses, and withdraw their names on
that account; some of the Oldest and most
steadfast die. In the latter case, in one in
stance, the children have taken up their
mothers work, and made the dear hands which
were very helpful, still hold out loving aid, all
the more welcome from the double interest it
brings. Subscriptions OF this kind would in
deed be boon, and the tenderness that
prompted them would make the money value
the least of the good conferred.
The thanks of the board are due to friends
for most generous donations. IAN Old
Sailor" whose real name is still mystery, has
for seven years continued his welcome fsvors.
The valuable services of clergymen, physicians
and lawyers are offered as gladly as they are
received. The daily and weekly newspapers
are regularly sent. Tickets have been given
for the horse railroad, the island steamers and
one of the Stockbridge matinees. Flowers,
fruit, ice, milk, articles for the house and the
larder, books, medicines and clothing have
been supplied in unstinted measure, and show
a kindly remembrance, which, as years have
proved, is unfailing.
In behalf of the managers.
HARRIET S. McCoBB, Secretary.
The treasurer, Miss Cornelia NJ. Dow made
the following report: