The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-12-04
ANNUAL APPEAL
For the Watcher Protestant Orphan
5t Asylum.


Asylum.
Believing that the several fraternal
orders, and the generous and sympa-
thetic people OF Mississippi generally,
would be disappointed unless they bad
an opportunity OF making an annual con-
tribution to this noble charity, the fol-
lowing statement and appeal is made in
that behalf:
The Natchez Protestant Orphan Asy-
lum was the result of conference by q
few ladies OF Natchez, on March H. 1916
more than eighty years ago. On that
day constitution was adopted. the sth
article OF which concludes as follows:
with an humble reliance on the bless
ings Of Him who is the inspirer Of every
benevolent feeling, the subscribers en-
bark in this enterprise Of charity. May
1t be the means of rescuing many home-
less children from the paths Of ignorance
and vice. May it cause some widows
hearts to sing for joy, and they will be
amply rewarded"
For more than sixty years. the sup
port OF this asylum rested almost ex-
clusively upon the people Of Natchez.
In recent years, however, the burden
has been generously shared by the fra
ternal orders-the Masons, Odd Fellows,
Knights OF Honor, Knights of Pythias
and Woodmen of the World; and by the
Churches and Sunday Schools during
the holiday season. The offerings of
last year carried the asylum through
the winter and spring; and but for the
help received from the fraternal orders
this year, the asylum would not now have
adollar in its treasury. AS it is, there is
just enough on hand to maintain the
asylum till the first of January.
The asylum has never had an endow-
ment fund, and the times have been fire.
quent when the larder and the treasury
were empty. But during the four score
years OF its history, its doors have never
been closed to an orphan seeking shell
ter and home. The Father OF the
fatherless has raised friends in every
emergency. In 1884, for instance, when
the lady managers thought they would
have to close the asylum, and an appeal
was made, a gentleman in New York
thus wrote Mrs. Fleming, the treasurer:
''Dear Madam have read with special
interest the appeal in behalf of the
asylum. 1t SO happened that l was
reared in that institution; and it now SO
happens that it is very convenient for
me to enclose you check for $3.50. All
ask is, that you do not disclose my
name" This is one of hundreds of in
stances where children have been re-
ceived and cared for until suitable
homes or business could be provided for
them. Twenty-seven boys and girls
were thus provided for in 1895, and their
places were at once occupied by others.
At this date there are forty children in
the Asylum-13 boys and 81 girls. The
capacity OF the building is about fifty.
BY way of answering occasional in
quiries as to the management and ex-
penses of asylum. the following details
are given: Thirteen ladies constitute |
the board of managers. They are elected |
annually, at the anniversary meeting in |
April. They represent all the Prot
estant and Hebrew congregations of
Natchez. The officers are: First d.
rectress, second directress, secretary,
treasurer. They receive no pay what
ever. They feel amply rewarded in the
rare privilege they thus have of doing
good. They alternate monthly. and |
oftener, If necessary, in general super
vision of the asylum. The managers
meet monthly, when applications for
admission are considered, and when re-
quests for children are acted upon. In
the admission of children, absolute or
phans are preferred. In some special
cases children are received where the i
mother is living but unable to care for
them. In sending children out, the
managers must have assurances that
they are going to homes where they
will be treated as members OF the
family. The endorsement OF any min
lister, or the principal officer of any
lodge, or other well-known citizen
should be obtained. In no case, should
be sent to the asylum, until
after correspondence with the managers.
Address Mrs. K. S. Minor, secretary.
The employees of the asylum are: A
matron, $40 per month; assistant matron,
SIS per month; cook, IS; two laundresses,
each IS; laborer, who works the garden,
cuts wood, milks, ETC., SIS. Total ex-
penses for labor, per month, being S94.
The total expense for labor, So bsistance.
repairs, insurance, etc., being
rom $500 to $1,000 a year.
The children, except the very small II
,st, attend the public schools of Natchez, L
4 L.. -. Il.