Morning journal and courier., 1893-05-26


Received and placed in the hands of the f1nan-
cial agent George W. Curtis trustee, for invest
Legacy, Matthew G. Elliott $500 90
Legacy, James P. Dicker-
man. ...................... 1900 90 1850 90
SUSAN J. IVES, Treasurer.
We have examined the foregoing account and
the vouchers for the payments therein, and find
the same correct
A 4; D; o1 = nsE Auditor
MEMORIAL TO THE LATE Elk PRESIDENT OF
THE INSTITUTION.
To day as we assemble for our regular
annual meeting we do it with a feeling
that the New Haven orphan asylum has
lost in its ex-pres;dent, Miss Harriet 8.
Foster, one whose name Is 80 familiar and
SO honored, that she seemed known to all
/ of US.
But in looking over our present list we
| find only seventeen names of those who
| worked with her in the twenty nine years
| she so ably filled the chair of president of
/ the institution. 1t will always be pleas
ure to those ladies to recall the fact, and
| privilege to say, 81 worked with Miss Eos
| ter" To the majority of those now con-
| nected with the institution, the name ia
/ only that one honored in the remembrance.
| So let us together recall her connection
| with the asylum, even If 1t take little, as
it must, the form of history of the in
stitution. We shall perhaps catch aglimpse
of the fact that for years she was the main
spring, and that to her good sense, clear
judgment, executive ability, economical
management and the esteem in which she
was held In the community, is in
q large measure due to the fact
| that the New Haven orphan asylum
/ ia to day so near the hearts of the people.
The work begun in 1888 in little story
| and half house on Grove street, with
three children taken from the almshouse,
was in its ninth year when Miss Foster
| took the position of secretary. Those
| were the days whom the managers brought
| thimbles and needles to the monthly meet
| ings and made clothing for the children as
| they transacted the necessary business A
| matron and teacher hired for three
| months in the year cared for the children.
The cash receipts at the donation visit that
year were nine dollars. I refer to these
things that We may realize the growth of
the work while Miss Foster continued at
its head, a work to which she devoted her
life. It was indeed a growth and not al
ways under clear skies and bright sun
shine. There were times when the treas
urer's purse were almost empty. There
were seasons of epidemic among the chill
dren; seasons when, as 1t was bsfore the
days of scientific isolation and disinfeo-
ton, one case of contagious disease meant
more to follow.
In the summer of 1856 nearly every
child had the measles and in December of
that year there was one case Of smallpox
and fourteen of varioloid in the house,
and as it was impossible to obtain the
needed assistance Miss Foster, her sister,
Miss Caroline Foster, and Mrs. William
9foh 70 70 md
for the sick, Miss Foster remaining through
the seige.
Again in 1862 there was an epidemic of
scarlet fever and measles, about forty
cases, when eleven little ones all under six
years of age, demanding and exhsusting
the energies of all the employees of the
board" and of the tireless president.
Years of slow growth, of transplanting
Oak street, and in 1854, the first year of
Miss Fosters presidency, Mr.. James
Brewster offered to erect building for a
permanent home for the orphan
asylum, If the town would give the land,
which was done and the present
building occupied in September, 1856 But
perhaps the severest strain came to Miss
Foster when she Gould not tell where the
next days supply of food was to come
from. This happened more than once.
and cruise ran low" she carried this as she
did the cause in all its departments to the
God of the fatherless, sure that the daily
bread would be given. In the report of
1862 We read of the "treasury over drawn
to larger amount than ever before, the
residue of legacy taken up, but load of
debt remaining uncaneellsd." Again in
1863 "The commencement of the year was
shrouded in gloom and encouragement
The uncertainty Of future support sad
dened the hearts and unnerved the hands
of the managers, they were weary of oc-
cupying the attitude of psupere." The
civil war that had then assumed such pro-
portions, calling for SO much money,
seemed for time to have drawn off the |
attention of the community from it's local |
charities except as they related to the
soldier.
In January, 1854, Mas Foster seemed to |
be almost discouraged. She sent for Mr..
and Mrs. William Fitch to consult with
them AZ to closing the asylum doors.
Mr.. Fitch busy with his public patriotic |
duties had yet thought for the little
children and advised to continue the work
even If 1t were on q very small scale. Mira
Fitch and the ladies of the executive COM
mittee planned q fair. Circles to work for |
it were formed In various parts of the city. |
An enthusiasm was aroused and the COM |
fair was opened six weeks later in Alumni |
hall, February "a. Over So, 200 was real |
lied, sufficient to pay all debts and carry |
on the work for over two years.
Ozark days." as I have heard her call |
them, came again In 1865. 1t was even
seriously discussed in the meetings |
of the executive committee, 'sShall /
the work be given upa" Bot our
leader did not fall us; she had faith to go |
on, the work was the Lords and tbs world