The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-13
PLACE FOR TIRED PRINTERS
Childs.DreXel National Home for Union
Members of the Craft Dedicated.
Comfortable Resort for the Aged and Infrm
at Colorado Springs, Overlook ing the Garden
of the GOds-ShOrt Speech by Mr. Childs.

COLOKADO COi.s May l<s-Ios
day the Cbilds-Drexel National Home for
Printers was dedicated. it being the sixty
third anniversary of the birth of Mr..
ChIlds. one Of the patrons OF the home. The
noted pnilanthroplst and party reached
here yesterday afternoon. Besides the
party of Mr.. ChIlds the city has as it's
guests over SIX hundred members of the
National Editorial Association, who are on
their way to tho national onvention at
San Francisco.
At 10 o'clock this morning q special train
arrived from Denver. bearing Governor
Routt. his staff, the Light Artillery and
five hundred printers and their friends.
Immediately upon TIE arrival of the train
procession was formed at the Rio Grande
depot from where it marched through
the principal streets and then to
the home. which is situated about
mile from the center of the town. The
city was handsomely decorated. On arriv-
ing at the structure il was concluded. on
account Of the immense multitude gath
cred, to hold the ceremonies out of doors
After brief prayer by Rev. James b.
Gregg. who invoked the blessing of the Al
mighty upon the institution, Governor
Routt was introduced, and welcomed tle
visitors on behalf of Colorado. Governor
Routts address was we'll received. and at
it's conclusion Hon. Ira L. Sprague. Mayor
of Colorado Springs. delivered an address
welcoming the visitors to the city.
slight intermission In speaking was then
had, while selections of music were rem.
dered by a local quartet
The event of the day was the short adj
dress made by Mr.. George w. Childs.
When he made his appearance on the
A. -. . haf, hn
was able to proceed. because of the cheer
ing and hearty welcome extended ID him.
Mr.. Childs spoke as follows
Ladies and Gentlemen-I am profound
ly impressed by the generous welcome OF
the chief magistrate CT this young wealthy
and vigorous common wealth; of che chief
magistrate of the atfluent and healthful
city. who have put aside the grave Offices
of State and municipality and the exac-
tIons thereof. to give greeting to us
cation of this home. The printers union 9
have not only spread the light of edu-
cation and reason over TINS vast consinent;
and broader intellect. From boyhood
have been more less intimately associ-
ated with members of the craft, and know
ing it so long and so WELL / have naturally
sympathlzed with it. 1t is not the print
| ers W no owe me gratitude; the indebted
ness is mine. l regret that my dear friend
and associate. Mr.. Drexel, is not here to-
day IN person 70 share with me the friend
| ly warmth of your generous greeting. For
him. who is here In spitlt with Inc. and
whose sympathy for all that is good and
| noble IS so great, as we'll as for my self,
heartily. earnestly thank you. 1t Is not
our deserving but your generosity which
has made your welcome 80 impressive and
grateful"
AS Mr.. Chiids concluded he was roundly
| applauded. Mr.. August D0nath, OF w ash
| ington. followed Mr.. Childs with brief
history of the home. Senator D.. II. Gal
llnRer. of Now Hampshire. then followed.
delivering the grafton of the day. In the
absence of Eugene Ii. Munday, who was
detained by sickness in PHILADELPHIA. q
poem from his pen vas read by Lon II Harti-
| Laren. of Chicago, the Old-tim friend OF
Mr.. Childs. responded to an invitation to
speak. and made some very pleasing re-
marks. The Rev. ArkIe closed the ceremo-
| nies with q benediction.
The home is located one mile from the
city on a small elevation which overlooks
| the surrounding country, including the
| Garden of the Gods. Pixies Peak, Manltou
| and Cheyenne canyon. 1t is constructed
of white lava stone. with red sandstone
trimmings and cost s6O.0OO. The home Is
| four stories high, and l44 feet front with q
| depth OF forty feet. 1t has three towers
with balconies extending along both sides.
| The upper story is not yet finished, but In
1
| rooms. none of which has less than two
windows. Each floor is heated by steam
and lighted throughout with electricity,
| besides being fitted out with bathrooms
| and all other modern conveniences. In the
| basement Is the kitchen, lavatory. etc. On
| the first floor are the executive Offices the
| Drexel parlors. the San Francisco room and
| the Childs Darlor all of which are most
| handsomely furnished. Among the many
| beautiful things in the latter room Is q
magnificent painting of the Hon. George
| w. Childs, which cost over $1,000. Other
rooms in this and other floors re
furnished by unions in ST. Louis. Chicago
San Francisco and New York. the fittin gs
and furniture in every case being of the
haudsomest kind aud made In the cities
furnishing them. The library has already
many volumes. but IL is the intention OF
the managers to make it one of the most
complete collections of the West.
The fund for the construction of the
| building was started in 1856 when Mr..
George w. Childs and A. J. Drexel. of Phil
adelphIa. presented the lnternationa
Typographical Union their JOINT check fol
| $4,000. To increase this fund it wal
agreed that on May Il. the anniversary oi
the birth of Mr.. Childs. every union printer
east of the Mississippi river should con
tribute the price of one thousand ems. anG
on Sept. 13 each year. following the birtl
of Mr.. Drexel, all union men west of !hs
river should donate like sum. By thu
means the money was secured to construc
this magnificent home, the location O
which was decided upon during the ma
| tional convention held IN Denver in 1SS9