The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-10-16
FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.
The Annual Meeting and Election Oh
GERS Held Yesterday.

GERS Held Yesterday.
The annual meeting of the fsl'"ie
Orphan Asylum was held yesterday
| sThe sixty-seventh annual report Oh ohe
managers was presented by the presiueno'
Mrs. W. H. Fem, and is as 1oilows'
Organized in 1897 and incorporated Al
1925 this is our sixty plrohuay'
and the twenty fifth year since we of'ine
into this building. Some of us preseno
remember the old quarters on Myroie
street. and can therefore understand ~"
wise were our predecessors in their cholce
of location and in selecting SO SUI
stantial building. AS the years go Oh,
however, we find repairs have often TO Dc
made, and to keep step with the times
and our larger family, involves increased
expenditure The older houses OF our
beautiful city compare fav0rably Win
many modern structures, and we are
grateful to the architect of this Home Tor
large and airy rooms, even though their
number does not suffice for our present
need. Notwithstanding the fact that we
were pioneers in this work in our state
and city and that of late much is being
done in the way Of providing for helpless
and orphaned children, yet to us are con-
tinually coming the bereaved ana
abandoned little ones, whose natural pro-
tectors have been removed by death or by
sin and folly and our sheltering arms are
open to welcome them.
Twenty-eight children have been re-
ceiyed during the year, nine of whom
were boys. Eight of these children were
returned to MS, after having been placed
in families on trial The younger they
are when they leave us. the more likely
are the persons who take them to become
fond of them and our nursery is more
patronized than our school room. 1t Will
give some idea of the changing nature OF
our family when I say that twenty-slx
children have left us, twelve of whom
were returned to their friends by request
of the same. 1t often occurs that turn
of fortune or instincts of humanity enable
relatives of the children to recall them.
At the beginning of the year we had four
boys in the Home, fin all we have received
nine of these three have been returned to
friends, one has been adopted. One poor
little waif, who seemed overborne with
the mystery of his parentage closed his
weary eyes in death, to open them IN
bliss ineffable. We have now thirty one
children, twelve over eight years of age
and nineteen under eight, matron and
assistant matron, teacher, nurse and
cook, making us thirty six in the family.
Eighteen of the children attend the public
school, some of the older girls attend the
home school and are instructed also in
domestic service and sewing.
| The health of the children has been for
| the year quite good, the only epidemi O
being few mild cases of scarlet fever in
the spring. In June the Palmer House in
Gorham, was rented for three months
and the fine air and outdoor life were of
real benefit to the children. Our thanks
are due to the people of Gorham for the
thoughtful kindness shown by them In
many ways. We have suffered a great
| loss in the death during the year of Mrs.
g. E. Jose and Mrs. W. S. Dana, whose
long terms of service on this board were
| of the greatest assistance in managing
the affairs Of this institution. Devoted
| friends and neighbors, dying within a
month of each other, of the same disease,
they are associated in our minds with all
that is lovely and of good report.
Memorials of them are upon our records
and copies have been sent to their
| families, but deeper memorials are in our
hearts.
| Like almost all the charitable institu-
| tions of this country during the fna ncial
depression, we find ourselves Strengthened
| in income and with lessened contribu
| lions. May we not appeal to our citizens
for their friendly aid, for sometimes it
has seemed as though we were forgotten
| in the opening of other institutions and
newer interests. Like many other
societies, we asked for a share in the
Walker fund, that we might build a
dormitory for our boys and we are hoping
that kind hearts may be moved to aid us
lin sheltering, clothing and feeding the
| homeless and orphaned.
| Mr.. Frank r. Barrett, the treasurer,
reports as follows for the year ending
with September 80, 1896:
RECEIPTS.
Annual subscriptions, 5 412. 70
| Sundry gifts, S. rs
| Board OF children, 309 rs
| Wages 11.25
Income Of general fund, 2,S14. rs
Income of Clapp trust fund, 4S0. 90
Income of Shurtleff fund, 5000
Income Of H. c. Libby fund, $500
Income of A. W. H. Clapp fund, 45. 90
81, 1885, 30
To balance account add deficit
for the year, 1871 rs
81, 1856 So
EXPENSES.
Provisions 81, O53 70
| Clothing and shoes, 219.03
Fuel, 300. so
Water and light, 81. 80
Washing, cleaning, extra labor, Sl7 09
Furnishing, l59 10
! House repairs, 55s "a
| Sundries, l6l. 81
Salaries and wages, Lob "a
General expenses, 1000
s4,2s6 95
These officers were elected:
President-Mrs. VIM. H. Fem.