The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-05-04
MRS. DYER,s REPORT.

1 waits OF our city, and then cdSCiuS ot
! eyes over the scene before us, 1T seen
Wonderful TO think that this should bay
been the outgrowth of that. ana ont
more we are impressed with the lmpor
ance of small beginnings. From the flr!
this work has made steady progress, Dr
the year Just passed has been the mos
eventful of any in the history of the home
A wear ago we gathered for -: annuf
meeting in our old quarters on Penn ave
nue-a small, rented house with man
Inconvenience, and entirely inadequat
to the needs of the work. Today we sit
our own commodious building, we
furnished and equipped for our needs, an
standing in the midst of our own spaciou
grounds This result has been Target
due to the faithful devotion and untirini
zeal OF our president In her fertile brazil
and large heart originated the idea OF Tn
brick books" which was the starting
point of the whole matter. When one
the friends of the children knew what wa
needed, right nobly did they respond. w
had to but express wish ane
| 10, like scene from fairl
tale, everything sprang up to OIL
hand In looking over the years history
we see how all this has come about, anc
the record of each month marks mile
| stone on our journey towards our goal
In June the building committee, after
much deliberatiou, purchased lots on
College Hill, at cost OF S50S.6O. This was
indeed an important step; and oh! how
proud we felt when we realized that we
were property owners" Then came the
problem of a house; should we build or
buy? Much time and careful thought
was devoted to this matter. Persons own
ing vacant houses were visited; carpenters
and architects interviewed, and business
men consulted. Finally the September
record shows that house had been oought
of Major Powell, and contract made Tor
moving it, AT this time our hearts were
saddened by the removal from US OF our
dear co-laborer Mrs. Shields, who had
been such faithful worker in our ranks.
In October came our annual donatlon day,
which brought US many nice donations,
and added Sl1 so to our building fund. In
Novem Der we had the JOY Of moving "out
of the old house into the now" and it was
certainly time OF general rejoicing In
this month also came our Thanksgiving
donation, which kept number OF US
busy all day unloading parcels, and left
our storehouse fairly running over with
good things Later in the month we had
an old fashioned "house-warming,
when manv of those interested in
the work, both gentlemen and ladies,
came out to the home ana spent an enjoy
able evening with light refreshments and
spicy little program. December brought
the glad Christmas time, and it was de-
lightful to see how, amid the whirl OF
holiday cares and pleasures, many a low
ing thought found its way to the home in
the shape of gifts for the little folks.
Twenty happy boys aud girls sat down to
their Christmas dinner, for which Mr..
Major kindly provided two nice turkeys.
When we gathered for our January meet
ing and transformed our reception room
into thing of beauty. A bright new car
pet, lace curtains, handsome furniture and
even pictures on the walls had all been
generously donated by our kind friend Mr..
Cash Henderson. And so on through the
entire year, each month has brought its
own fresh proof that the Children's home
has secured permanent place IN the
hearts of Wichita's people, and that over
all Is our Fathers loving hand. Through
all the confusion and extra work of build
ing the new house, the regular routine of
the home has gone faithfully on. The
directors have met every month to trans
act business and consult the best interests
OF the work; the only variation being that
during the summer months the time of
was changed from the afternoon
to the forenoon, and so in the cool morn
ing hours the busy housewives
laid aside home cares and gathered to
plan work for those who, but for such
might be wandering on the
streets homeless and friendless. Our
president, though pressed with many
family cares, has never once faltered in
her duty to the home, but has ever been
active, ever faithful and ever on the alert
to advance the interests of the cause so
dear to her heart. The other officers and
members of the board have also been
faithful, rallying around their leader and
seeking to hold up her hands. Our mat
ron, too, has stood faithfully at her post
through all the work and worries incl
dent to the years changes, and never once
have we found duty neglected or a task
Looking after the moral
and spiritual welfare of the children as
well as their bodily comfort, she has ever
proven herself a second mother to the lit
tie ones, making for each and all a warm
place in her great, loving heart. The Wis
ting committees have carefully looked
after the wants of the home, and through
their solicitations many valuable dona-
lions have been secured. These visitors
have always been unanimous in reporting
at the home beautifully neat
and clean and the money placed with. the
natron carefully and wisely expended.
During the year tifty-five children have
been received into the home; forty-nine
nave been placed in homes or recalled
Oy friends aud two have listened
% the loving call of their Heavenly Father
and gone to brighten the home above
Many comforts, conveniences and even
uXuries have been added to the home this
year, and considerable work has been done
IN the grounds to beautify them. Through
he winter there was considerable sickness
among the members of the family, both
I'D and young, owing TO la grippe and
,ther prevailing diseases; but we are very
thankful to have escaped so well as we
nave, and feel that in view of all the bless |
ngs which have come TO us during the |
rear, this should be a gala day. And yet, |
is the brightest day has its shadows, and |
he sweetest m usic its minor strain, so in |
he midst of our gladuess comes thrill of !
balm which touches ali hearts alike. Ever |
ince our last annual meeting we have |
ested under the shadow of a fear that our |
owed president might possibly leave US. |
Through the past months this fear has |
grown into Il certainty, until |
oday we sit under cloud so dark as |
lmost to shut out the light of this bright |
lay. Still, we know, somehow, it must |
'e right, for Mrs. Foster would never /
give up this work which has
rown 30 be a part of her very life, did she |
lot feel that duty babe her do so. God. |
Tho has guided her all her life, is surely |
,ulding her III this and in other fields, |
nd among other friends. He is calling her
o work for him. And so we try TO look |
p to his face and say it must be right,
nd, though our hearts ache, we lovingly |
I'D her Godspeed, only asking that He /
ares for the sparrows, may raise up for I
IS another to fill the place she leaves va
emit
THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The result of the annual election OF Off
ers was as follows:
Directors-Mrs. Carver, Craig. Reed.
fcClung, Naylor, Stockman, Smythe and
Dyer.
Poesident-Mrs. A Basley.
First Vice President-Mrs. ". L. Carver
Second Vice President-Mrs. J. H
Hack