Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-09-23
BRATTLEBORO LOCAL
THE FIRST STEP TAKEN
Toward Founding Home for the Aged
and Disabled.
Good Meeting at LindcnhurSt on Mon
day Evening.

ment Of home for the aged and disabled
was shown by an attendance on Monday
evening, in answer to the call printed last
week. which filled the large parlors of Lin
denhurst, the residence of Mr.. and Mrs.
Geo f. Crowell, which was Hospitality
opened for the occasion, G. L. ThOmD-
son called the meeting to order, and was
asked to act as its chairman. O. L.,
French was the secretary. Mr. Thomson
stated briefly that the meeting was called
because of the feeling expressed by many
people that the time has arrived when def
mite steps should be taken for the estab-
lishment of an institution such as has been
under discussion at intervals for two or
three years past Mr.. Thompson had OBJ
tanned such information as was possible i'm
regard to similar homes in other places
DIR. Twitchel wrote from Keene, n. H.,
that the Invalids' Home, originally estab-
lished there by the ladies of the Unitarian
society, is now incorporated under the laws
of the state and has gradually acquired an
invested fund of several thousand dollars.
Voluntary contributions are received for its
support. The inmates are women only, and
all who are able pay a certain fixed sum
for their support.
n. p. Kingsley of Rutland sent an in
teresting letter about the Old Ladies' home
in that place This was started by the
Rutland Missionary association, which OBJ
tanned a charter, erected a building with
money raised by private subscriptions,
and furnished it in the same way, each of
the several rooms being furnished by indi-
viduals in memory of some friend To be-
gin with, $1,000 year for five years was
pledged for its support by Rutland people,
in sums of S25 to 5000 year each. The
Rutland people feel great interest in this
charity and aid in its support in many
ways. A letter was read from Rev. {. O.
Day, who originally suggested the estab-
lishment of a hospital in Brattleboro,
warmly endorsing the present movement
and hoping for its success.
Hon. DOrman Il. Eaton expressed his in
tereSt in the enterprise, and suggested va
rious considerations which were to be tax
en- into accOunt-as to whether the inmates
of the proposed home should be limited to
the aged of either sex. or whether any
person who was disabled and lacking prop
er care at home should be allowed its priv
ileges. He thought it should be estab-
lished on broad foundation in this re-
spect, and that the charter should be
broad enough to cover all contingencies
without being hampered by annoying de-
tails.
Rev. Mr.. Merriam told of two noble in
situations which have grown up in Grand
Rapids, Mich, where he formerly lived.
both of which began in a small way as
homes for the aged or inlirm. one has
grown into hospital, while the other
maintains more nearly the original idea of
a home.
DIR. Hoton said there could be no doubt
by intelligent observers of the local situa-
ton that Brattleboro is not large enough to
require and maintain general hospital.
Few emergency cases arise which cannot
be properly cared for at home. or which
would go to hospital. After carefully re-
calling such cases he was satisfied that
there had not been six of them in 10
years. He thought the Bratteboro inst-
tuition should be a home, with a ward
where emergency cases could be provided
for. The objection raised by some that
hospital attachment was not permissible
because of danger from contagious diseases
was not valid. Contagious diseases are
never admitted to any general hospital.
They are cared for in separate institutions.
He thought the benefits of this institution
should not be confined to BrattleborO alone.
The matter should be carefully considered,
especially the question of permanent sup
port and of where the money would come
from.
1t had been suggested by Mr. Thompson
and Others that the first thing to be done
was to take definite step-tO establish a
nucleus around which contributions and
gifts might gather; that there should be
something to give to, hence the coming
legislature should be asked for charter
To give the work of the evening definite
shape, therefore, Mr.. Eaton at this point
offered a resolution that, sit is expedient
to establish here an institution to be known
as the Bratteboro Home for the Aged and
Disabled, and that a committee of 10 Taft
erward changed to 1D be appointed by the
chair to draft charter and secure its pas
sage by the legislature"
In the discussion which followed several
Others of those present spoke of their in
terest I'm the proposed institution, Mrs. f.
A. Wells, Revs. Parry, Sprague and Bah
bitt, and q. S. DOwley and Mrs. j. NJ. "
Ter being among the number. Mrs. G. f.
Warner gave an interesting account of
what she had seen at such home Just es-
tablished at Leominster, Mass, with a
fund given by a woman of that town. Its
inmates are confined to women over 50
years OF age, who are admitted on payment
of 5000 by themselves or their friends.
Much interest was felt in this home by the
residents OF LeOminster, and its successful
future seems to be assured
The discussion and interchange of ideas
being over, the resolution of Mr.. Eaton
was adopted by unanimous rising vote.
The following persons were then named as
members of the committee to draft a char
ter: II. d. HOltOn, d. b. Eaton, j. NJ. Ty-
Ter, c. f. Thompson, Geo. E. Crowell, j.
j. Estey, F, w. Sprague, A. c. Ddven-
port, Mrs j. NJ. Tyler Mrs. o. A. Mar
shall, Mrs B. Ranger
Before adiOurning vote of thanks to
Mr.. and Mrs. Crowell for the hospitality of
the evening was unanimously passed.
The spirit of the meeting was excellent,
and there can be little doubt that the out
come of the step thus taken will be the fl
nal establishment in Brattleboro of the