The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-13
The iEiIUREN'S HONE 4.

paper desire to express their Statltcde 10
the people of Wichita, who have In so
many. and such substantial ways, showed
their sympathy with the WORK. We are
especially grateful for the large and APP
preciative audience which, IN spite of the
unfavorable weather, gathered at the
Presbyterian church last Sunday night Tor
our annual public meeting. The coliec-
ton amounted TO over S34 in all, OF which
S2i was in cash, the rest pledges ms
will be "A valuable addition 10 our treas
ury. the demands upon which are going co
be pretty heavy this year. At the annual
meeting for election of officers and direc-
tors. the following were unanimously
elected: President, Mrs. A Basley; first
vice president, Mrs NJ l. Carver; second
vice president, Mrs. j. PittenSer; record
ing secretary, Mrs. \. Basley: financial
secretary. Mrs. NJ Buckner; treasurer,
Mrs. c. +. Remsen.
Directors-AIrs Zartman, Remsen, Bas-
ley, Naylor, Smyth, Townsend, Mann and
Coates
The following are the annual reports OF
the recording secretary, financial secre-
tary and treasurer.
Fifth annual report OF the recording
secretary of the Wichita Chldren's home.
Today marks another milestone along
our path AN organization, ana oefore
we step out into the untrodden road be-
fore us. let US pause little fora brief
glance backward over the way we have
come In every enterprise 1t Is we'll TO
look forward, TO keep the eyes on the goal;
for thus we are inspired with nope, am
bItion and new energy to tru2gie on TO
the end. But it Is also well 10 look BACK
ward occasionally; to seek to improve upon
the work already accomplished; TO profit
by our mistakes. and to take heart from
our success. In reviewing the work OF the
year just closed, we see, or course.
some mistakes, which we nope
in the future. to AVOID. some
failures and losses; but, taken altogether.
the year has been one OF great blessing
to the home and of successful work lar
beyond our most sanguine expectations.
Last year when we gathered for our an
nual meeting and election OF officers our
hearts were saddened by the knowledge
that our president, Mrs. Foster, was TO
leave US, and from lip to lip ran the whis-
pered question, who will take her place!
Whose shoulders are worthy to bear the
mantle of loving, consecrated service so
graciouslv worn by her? All shrank from
assuming SO great IA responsibility, and
when our choice was made known tfat
Mrs. Basley should be our leader. 1t was
with much fear and trembling she accept
Ell the position. The years record proves
that our choice WAS wise one. Nobly has
she performed the duties OF her office.
doing ever faithfully and cheersully the
work which came to her hand; bearing
bravely the heavy responsibilities resting
upon her: seeking ever the best good OF
those placed in her care, aud sparIng
neither time or strength III even one
homeless waif might be safely anchored
in the shelteriDg haven OF some mother
heart. Since our last report children
have been received into the home, vi
these have been regularly adopted, ~
have been placed IN good homes under the
terms of our prini ed agreements, Is nave
been taken BY parents or guardians, L IN
corrigable, for want of IL proper place, mas
been sent temporarily 20 the poor farm; l
little one mas been taken 10 the eternal
home and Il are now in our care. Much
of the time the house has been filled to
oyerfowing and Mrs. Craig has had her
hands and heart full in looking after the
needs of so many dependent ones. But
like the good house mother she Is, she has
ever proved equal to the task, faithfully
discharging her many duties, and person
ally looking after the welfare OF al III her
care from the oldest to the little one In
the cradle; aud in her heart, like the pro-
verbal omnibus, there Is always room for
one more.
The greater part of the children received
this wear have been old enough to attend
the public school, and all such have been
sent regularly during the school year. Our
cradles have not had their usual number
of occupants lately, and when little
stranger has come TO us, IL has soon been
suatched away to some empty home ana
longing heart, almost before its tiny
form could leave its impression
on the cradle pillow. What blessing it
i, I,t her hparfS ready 10
take into their sheltering love these wee
homeless ones!
During the year we have had the salts
faction of paying off the last cent OF III
deDtedness on our building, and ali felt
like shouting "Hailelujah" when we real
ICED that at last our home was Tree from
the burden of debt y good deal has
been done to improve and beautify the
premises since year ago. A large mum
Der of shade trees have been planted, and
AN excellent assortment of fruit trees;
also berries aud grapevines. SO that we
hope soon to be well supplied with orr
owa traits We have au excellent COW, II
nice stock of hens and chickens and rue,
large garden, which the older boys ana
girls unde: the careful SUPERVISION
of our matron, keep III good condition.
i ciuder walk has been made IN front oil
the grounds aud nice play arbor built for
the children, 50 that through the warm
season they may be able to play out oil
doors without being exposed TO the scorch-
Ing sun. Many things for the comfort ana
convenience of the inmates have been
added to the house, and we feel that we
are gradually getting into good running
order. But as a private house Is ever cali
! ing for new furniture, repairs or additions,
so our home has its many needs. though
on A larger scale than an ordinary house,
as the family is unusally large. When we
ipro hriItInU tEDnphI
had ample accommodations for several
years AT least, but though we have consld-
cradle room. still, like poor o.iver twist,
we are already crying Tor more
Our nursery proves altogether inade-
quate TO meet the needs OF so many
/ little visitors, aud we are oo!leed 10
face the fact that we shall surely need TO
build one more room for this purpose Ot
all who come 10 US, the babies, the wee
ones. need the best accommodations, the
tenderest care. But IN their Innocent
helplessness, they also appeal most strong
| ~ TO the sympathy, so that We feel sure
when our plans are matufed. Tor giving
them more and better room. we shall
have no trouble in raising the money
for that purpose Our November dona-
ton day brought generous supply OF all
sorts of good things for orr store room,
which have helped US furnish the children!
with wholesome food, and varied Diet.
Christmas was, as u-ud', Adppy tune
for the children. They were generously
remem bered with many pretty aud useful
gifts, with bountlfui supply OF sweets,
aud at dinner time toasted Oh
roast turkey with all its usual
accornDaplneuts While our family
has had touches Of ia grippe aud passed
through the usual round Of hopping cough
and mumps: we have been spared any
very serious illness. and but one death has
occurred IN the home during the year;
wee one who came 10 Us 80 Irall ana
fragile. and Swallowed with sueu sorrow
fuI circumstances. that we could only feel
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