The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-21
REST in OLD AGE.
Inspection Day at the
Altenfeim.
AN INFORMAL CEREMONY.
Many Visitors Take Part in the
HOuSewarming.
SPEECHES FROM THE DIRECTORS
A Handsome Structure in FruitVale
That VIII Shortly Hold Eighty
Inmates.

1t was inspection day yesterday at the
newly erected Altenheim or German Old
People's Home at Fruitvale.
The prominent Germans Of the city have
been hard at work upon the project since
1890. society, the German Benevolent
Association, purchased a tract of land
i've acres in extent, and the good work
was entered upon forthwith. In 1892 d
grand German fair was held in Mechanics
PAVILION for the purpose of helping the
funds necessary for the erection OF the
home. The scheme was an immense sue
cess, no less sum than $50, 900 being
netled for the fund.
AS result of philanthropic enterprise
a most commodious as we'll as architec-
turally handsome building now stands
upon the hill overlooking the vale, with the
bay in close proximity.
Every room In the building from the
ground floor up is airy and healthy. Ven
ulatl0n has been we'll studied in this
building. and close attention paid to all
mat may be required by he eighty inmates
which the home Will soon entertain.
The home Is not intended a. an aims
house. 1t is not paupers' institution, by
any means. 1t Is inteuded to be used as a
residence Tor aged Germans of both sexes.
VINO. having no tie nor kindred left in this
State, will prefer to retire to a comfOr;ab BILE
place, where hey may pass their declining
years In peace, surrounded by faces that
Will become familiar; in a word. Ii is in
tended as home.
Although the building as it at presept /
stands will only accommodate eighty
guests, yet 1t Is DurpOsed ia the wears to
come to build additions from time to time
according to tae success Of the undertak-
lng. Inmates may pay any price they
please for their rooms and board: some
no doubt. will apply for admission VINO
are we'll blessed With the worlds goods.
Ia that case there is no limit placed upon
the price they may offer. The lowest sum
taken will be from $500 to $500.
Already more than fifty applications for
residence in the home have been received
by Secretary Eugen Romer. Aud, besides,
arrangements have already been made for
the fitting up of ten rooms, at an average
cot of $50 room. The money for this
has been donated by ten wealthy German
residents. 1t has been decided TO Tx the
lowest age Al which applicants will be adj
United at 90 years. men. and women 60
years. ln special cases, however, such as
the utter debility of an applicant, the age
standard will be lowered to 80.
\ large mum Der of visitors, old and
young. journeyed over TO The beautiful
spot yesterday. The proceedings were
quite informal. although an energetic band
discOursed sweet strains and walters hur-
RED here and there carrying tea, coffee,
ices and other delicacies to the thirsty and
weary.
The stars and stripes floated proudly
from the porch over the 'front.' entrance.
Visitors streamed all over the building
ana grounds, and many white-haired
visitor looked with pride upon residence
that might one day be his. BY and by. to-
w I'd ~ al in
visitors went out on the verandas. the
band struck up aud circle was made
around President Fritz Rosen baum. who
Cleared his throat and commenced a
speech in German.
Mr.. Ii, senbaum congratulated the COM
pany present upon the success Of the
undertaking. 1t had been some time in
coming to head, but he was proud TO
show to all the material result of his and
other mems labor. 1t was thought that by
Inc END oil tue present year the home
would be open, and it was hoped that the
Institution would prove the great blessing
that vas expected of it, with the hearty
support of all the German residents of the
city.
In conclusion MI Rssenbaum read an
amusing poem, also in German. 1t told
how Claus Spreckels went to Fritz
Rosenb2um and said, How about that
building of yours to which l subscribed
S5OOO. Is 1t near completionP Fritz
ROsenbaum. by way of answer. invited
Mr.. Spreckels TO journey ont to FruitvaIe
and see for himself. Accordingly Mr..
Speckels went out one Sunday accom-
panied by his wife and having seen the
good work he asked how much was wanted
10 complete II.
I'VE want about another S50OO." replied
Mr.. Rosenbaum.
The sugar king smiled and said that al
though tie had donated something his
wife, Hannah, had not. So he wrote a
check for the $1,000 required and handed
it TO ROsen baum in his wife's name. The
poem was enthusiastically received
Charles BundSchu addressed the gather
ing, saving that the San Francisco Mutual
Aid Society went only so far as to estab-
fish a German Hospital. That was for
disease. of course. But old age was dis
ease, too, an inevitable disease that could
not be cured. For that purpose the Alien
helm had been erected, and Ii was earnestly
to be hoped that success would ensue.
The closing speech was made by Max
GreenDlatt. editor of the DemOkrat, after
which the informal proceedings came to n
close.
nnDREn DENTC