The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-30
CONNIE MAXWELL oRPHANAGE.

In the opinion of this writer there j!
no.grander or nobler work on this eartf
than the care Of the orphans. We love
children. and especially does the or
pban appeal TO our sympathy. The
wonder is that more such institution:
have not been built by the Christian
| people of this country.
Some few years ago the Baptists O
this State were discussing the questic:
of establishing an orphanage, and {
committee was appointed to look into
the matter, and see what could be done
towards securing location, and SO on
Rev. J. q. Vass was chairman of that
committee. He was then serving 8
church in Darlington. He was called
toGreenville by the sickness of daugh.
ter who was then at the Greenville Fe'
male College, and as be was making
the trip be bad this matter on his mind.
AS be passed Greenwood be was favor.
ably impressed with the appearance OF
the country and the good railroad con-
nections, and on the return trip be left
word with the pastor Of the Baptist
church at Ninety-Six to see the Green
wood people and ascertain if they were
willing to do anything towards securing
the location of the institution in their
midst. They at once took hold of the
matter and be made a visit to the town
The citizens at once raised 1000, and
while there be also learned that this
work was greatly on the hearts of DR..
and Mrs. Maxwell, who had lost their
only daughter, Miss Coanie Maxwell,
and in desiring to rear lasting monu-
ment to her memory, had been con-
sidering the idea of caring for the Or
phans. The matter at once took shape.
they both became intensely interested
and arrangements were made by which
their valuable property near Green
wood should at their death 60 to the
orphanage, and the institution should
be known as the Connie Maxwell Or
phanage. Not OILY so, but it is their
intention 10 leave other property to the
institution. What grand and noble
and enduring monument they have
reared. Mr.. Vass at once began work.
The place and the property was ac-
cepted and the Baptist State Conven-
tion, under whose control the property
is to be, appointed board Of trustees
and Mr.. Vass was chosen superinten-
dent. A building was put up the first
year which is now used as Home"
but is intended to be used as an in
firmary for the use of the sick. Fortu-
nately up to this time they have had
no sick. A neat chapel was also erected.
The orphanage now has ninety acres
of land. The first building cost about
$4,000 and is very neat structure.
The second year another building was
erected at cost ofabout $1,000. The
second year ended last week. This
year they expect to build another
Home" and Mr.. Vass has already be-
gun work. 1t is his purpose to build
Home" every year until be has build
ings sufficient. When he began work
he told us he had only one silver dol
lar, and that he has yet, and be has
never failed to meet bis financial obli-
cations promptly and to have plenty
for the little children under his care.
The property he now has is worth
$4,000 to $4,000 not including the
endowment to he given by DR.. and Mrs.
Maxwell. DR.. Vass was very kind to us
and took US through the building and
explained everything. The appoint
ments are all good aud we'll arranged
and the house and grounds are neatly
kept and the children we'll cared for.
They now have 50 children-2S bows
and 2i girls-and they seem happy and
contented. He had them to sing for
the Newberry party, and they repeated
the ten commandments in concert and
did it we'll, showing careful training.
They have had in all 20 children but
some have been adopted by those who
were approved by DR.. VaSs. In each
Home" is matron and teacher and
the children all attend school. Nearly
all of them are small children from )
TO 10 years of age. He has one little
girl of some s years that he took out of
the Greenville County poor house and