The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-10-03
$4,000
SECRETARY,S REPORT.

The report OF the secretary, Mrs j. A.
King, is as as follows:
May 18TH. 1894, marks the birthday OF
the Institution known as the lnvalids'
Home On that date sixteen persons met
in the rooms of the Z. M. q. A. Tor the
purpose Of organizing as corporation.
The meeting was called to order by
Rev. Matt S. Hug hes, and conducted by
Mr.. W. j. Knowlton, chairman. The
object of the corporation, the establish
ment and maintenance of Temporary
Home in Portland for invalid women OF
good character, who shall conform to the
rules of the Home and pay reasonable
board. At this meeting committee OF
three was appointed, consisting Of Mrs.
J. B. Donnell, Mrs. Mcdowell and DIR.
Hersom to draft bylaws and nominate
officers for the society. Less than fort
night later, the board of managers held
their first meeting at the residence OF the
president, Mrs George G. Frye, thirteen
present From that time to the present
there have been thirty-two meetings OF
the board. the nrst eighteen held with the
president: average attendance OF mem-
bers, eleven. Some idea of the time and
attention given by the officers and board
Of managers may be gained from the
fact, that from May 80, "a, up to the first
meeting in Deering, last November. the
board met every week in each month,
with the exception OF July. The society
began its work with no money and no
house, and applicants waiting for ad-
mission.
June 6, 1894, the committee on location
of a home reported no success. The
committee for soliciting funds reported ;
sson account Of the unsettled condition OF
affairs. no money! Committees were
requested to continue One week later,
the aspect Of affairs changed for the
better. Mrs Mary J. Brown offered her
cottage at Trefethen's Landing, Peaks
Island, for the use Of the society during
the summer months, and Mrs. Currler,
her services as matron.
The society membership and Its friends
emulated the signal generosity by contrl-
buttons of necessary furniture, groceries
and provisions. Three applications for
admission were accepted and the lnvalids'
Home began to possess "a local habita,
ton and NAME" For the financial
condition of the society, you are referred
to the report of its treasurer, Mrs ". y.
Knowlton. Suffice it to say. that one
year ago last July we had $45 In the
treasury, and were the benefciaries OF
Mrs. Brown and Mrs. CurIier.
The following October we were
privileged to invite the friends OF the
1nyalids' Home, Mechanic street, Deer
ing, to its formal opening; when it is
estimated one hundred and fifty persons
were in attendance.
Today. we consider with pride this
pleasant and convenient house, with its
matron, nurse and cook. We recount with
satisfaction the twenty seven women who
have b ere found rest and comfort, and IN
a majority of cases, renewed health.
Members of the board who have at
tended the monthly meetings have be-
come familiar with these interesting In
mates. The invalid young, middle-aged
and solitary, have here found the COM .
forts of home in it's best sense, and have
left it with reluctance. 1t goes without
saying, that these results have not been
attained without sacrifice Too much
cannot be said of the indefatigable labors
of our president OF the thirty two meet
ings of the board she has missed but
two and nothing but the Intervention of
the Atlantic detained her from these.
Only those acquainted with the ordl-
nary perplexities of house keeping can
have any appreciation of the labor in
volved in tho oversight of an institution
like the home, with it's demands on ones
patience and Judgment. There have been
days of doubt and discouragement, for
those 1noss interested in this movement,
but frjebt;s have arisen to the occasion
During tA6 Bbsence of our president,
MIS-: Henry j il aY iof, Hfst vice presluenbs
rendered nl5s5 efficient service.
Committees lave worked faithfully and
tremendously. In one instance member
of the hpi-s. MIS- 5 phia Clarke, has
given hel ytel; time for weeks to the
service 81 sf''s;le'l sss9 Contributions have
been fraa dnnf,tn llpganerous, including
donation &C gdtsritame, fruit, flowers and
provisions. ony friend providing a
generous Tiia;:k 2iying dinner.
Some scholars in or public schools
have been among he donors Packages of
pillow siiIs nafly tied with ribbons,
have aties;td TO tho fact that while
pupils have been taught sewing, their
teachers have not forgotten lessons OF
practical benevolence as we'll.
Sometimes the special comfort and
pleasure of the inmates of the homo have
been considered as evidenced in the gift
Of hammock and garden filed with
Towering plants. While the home is not