Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-02
PRACTICAL CHARITY.
FORMAL OPENING OF THE NEW BETH.
EsDA HOME YESTERDAY.

Glance Mt the Arrangements of the In.
stiiution-How 1t is Being Encouraged
List of Some Things Yet Needed for
the Comfort of Inmates.
Hot as it was in the city yesterday, a
great many ladies expressed their approba-
ton OF, and interest in, the new Bethesda
Home by being present in person at
the informal opening, which occurred
between the hours OF 2 and 10 P. NJ. The
Reception Committee, including Mrs. Will.
lam VanKirk, Mrs. G. L. Smith,
Miss Barbara Surch, Mrs. J. H.
Blair, Miss Jennie Brown, Mrs. D.
c. Hultz. Miss May Hummings,
Mrs. W. c. Mooreland, Mrs. Charles Locke
and Mrs. Samuel Wood. greeted the vis-
tors with bright welcome, and conducted
them through the various apartments and over
the different floors, with a degree of pride and
satisfaction perfectly pardonable considering
their management, made since it's inception
last February. when Miss Basendorf desiring
not only to lead different life herself, but to
assist other women in so doing, offered s., 600
toward the establishment of the home. The
idea once conceived, the most untiring efforts
were made by those interested, which have re-
suited in the purchasing of a very comfortable
house, situated upon email knoll at the
corner OF Townsend and Colwell Streets
which has been thoroughly renovated, papered,
painted and carpeted throughout by the gen.
eroslty OF those solicited. The purchase price
was $780, and of that am cunt IS, 050 is lacking
but the way donations have flowed in thus far
has not only delighted the hearts of the work.
ers, but gives them courage to hope
that ere many months pass the enti,s 3
sum will be realized. One book viewed yester-
day afternoon contained the names of some
half-dozen men of wealth and influence with
$lOO jotted down after them, several with $500
attached, and two, Captain ]. ]. Vandergrift
and Mrs. DR.. SterritU, with the generous
figures of $50 representing their offerings.
In the furnishings of the house most artistic
and desirable effect has been gained, though
everything in the different apartments repre-
sents the kindness of some benevolent person
or persons. The dining room is lasting testi-
monial of the Ladies Home Missionary Society
of the Smithfeld M. E. Church. and
is as bright and cheerful a place as one
would wish in which to sip tea or eat
breakfast toast. Other rooms will be fitted up
by the Home Missionary Society of the Third U.
P. Church, and the Kings Daughters. of st.
Peters Church. Several bedrooms have been
neatly fitted up with little hard wood bedroom
suites that bespeak the generosity and
an9eas os the H OF
Home. The halls, stairs and parlors
are all handsomely carpeted with brussels, in
lovely rich coloring that harmoniZes with the
delicately tinted paint and paper, and the other
apartments are laid with neatly patterned in
grain.
A most perfect foundation is thus laid for
any and all ladies possessed of artistic tastes to
exercise them in the making of dainty. pretty
articles wherewith to decorate the walls and
mantels and give the rather barren looking
rooms cozy home-like appearance. The
windows. too, need draping, and anything in the
following list will be very gratefully received:
Wardrobes. door mats, pillows, spoons. rugs,
towel racks. springs and mattresses, table
linen parlor furniture, mirrors, pictures, mot
toes, curtains folding bed. hat rack, iron fence
repaired, washbowls and pitchers. step ladder,
dust brushes, dust pans, brooms. soap dishes,
match safes lace curtains for parlor. bread
pan, ice chest, doors and window screens,
blinds, blankets, painting outside of house,
clock, beoks pin cushions, kitchen table. fat
irons, table mats. ironing board, granite ware
for kitchen, tea kettle, tea and coffee pot,
small tables and lounge.
The home is entirely unsectarian and unde-
nominational. and will be in charge of Mrs L.
R. Jones, who has investigated the workings of
similar homes In other cities, and is admirably
fitted for the duties of the place. The pioneer
occupants will very shortly take possession of
these new quarters it is said. that are to enable
them to redeem their regulations and begin life
anew.