The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1891-04-07
WHO KNEW MRS. KNAPP Z
She Died at the ''DO0r of Hope"
From Pneumonia.

New York, March 3O.-The "Door
of Hope" is suggestive title of a re-
Gently established institution for the
reformation of young girls. 1t was
founded by Mrs. E. NJ. Whittemore,
under the auspices of the christian
Alliance, and, as the prospectus
states, was designed especially for a
select class of fallen girls" The pros
pectus also recites that call will be
welcome who sincerely desire 10 re-
form, and will be lovingly sheltered
10 this private home, while being
trained to occupy suitable positions of
honorable usefulness in their future
lives"
The Door of Hope" occupies the
handsome brOwn-stOne private man
sion, No 102 East Slxth-frst street,
which affords accommodations for
about twenty inmates. The ins'i:u-
ton was opened lat October, and has
already accomplished good work in
retaining young women who have
entered upon lives of shame At
present there are nine young girls in
mates of the door of Hope" The
youngest of these is only sixteen years
old and nearly ali of them are less
than twenty years of age. Several Of
the girls are connected with respect
able families in the city. Special care
is taken to conceal their identity, and
visitors of the institution are unable
to distinguish the inmates, no badge
or uniform being worn by the girls,
who are under no restraint whatever.
Only voluntary applicants for shelter
and the fostering care of the institu-
ton are admitted, and thus far the
scheme has worked admirably.
About five weeks ago a lady from
the "Fruit and Flower Mission" called
upon Miss Anderson, the matron, and
requested her to receive Mrs. Bessie
Knapp, a widow whose appearance
and refined manner indicated that she
was a gentlewoman. She was, she
said, homeless and friendless, and
while not an invalid she was not in
robust health. Although it was not
strictly within the rules of the insti-
tuition" said Matrou Anderson yester-
day, to reporter, 'she was taken in
as a matter of charity and tenderly
cared for. She said she had until re-
Gently been supporting herself as q
surgeons nurse. She spoke of having
two daughters in this city, and also a
brother, but she did not give thei
addresses. Maybe she did not know
them, poor thing. At first she appear
ed deeply respondent, but frightened
up little after few days and ex-
pressed the hope that she might soon
be able to get employment.
LAST Monday she contracted a
cold and doctor of West Thirty
fourth street, prescribed for her. The
cold quickly developed into pneumo-
MIA, and her serious condition vas
not fully realized until a few hours
before her death, which occurred on
Wednesday. The end came peace
fully, the patient protesting her faith
in Christ, expressing the belief that
he would forgive her sins. and pass
ing calmly away. She had nothing
among her effects by which We could
trace her relatives, if she really has
any in the city, but we hope that if
We tell the story of her sad
death that they will be found. She i'm
pressed US all tavorably by her gentle
manners and patience, and expressed
her deep gratitude for being enabled
to end her days in an institution
where she was cared for by loving
hands"
A caller at the "Door of Hope"
during the hours set apart for visitors
finds the par'or and reading-room
comfortably filled. The nine young
inmates enter the hall just as the visi-
tors do, arrayed in street costumes,
and, removing their hats and wraps,
leave them In the eloak-rooms and
freely mingle with the visitors. There
are several very pretty girls among
them, and there is nothing in their
or department to indicate
the life from which they have been
saved. They appear happy and con-
tented. eve came here of our own
accord to lead better lives" said one
of them, land we are so encouraged
by the loving kindness we meet with,
that We are sustained in our good
resolutions to become respectable and
useful members of society,"