The San Francisco call., 1896-06-09
WILL PURCHASE A FARM
The Presbyterian Orphanage Has
a Large Scheme on
Hand.
An Old Ladies' Home and Rest Cot.
tageS for Weary Girls From
the City.

A philanthropic scheme on a large scale
will shortly be inaugurated by the San
Francisco Presbyterian Orphanage and
Farm. 1t is intended to purchase beau
tiful tract OF thirty acres in the suburbs oil
San Rafael and build much larger Or
phanage than the Gilbert House, which is
already rented by the Orphanage Associa-
ton. There will also be built on the tract
of land neat cottages for girl workers in
the City, fresh-air cottages for children
from the slums and an old ladies' home.
The land is already selected, but the
board is not desirous of naming it pub
licly till the title has been found to be
satisfactory and the land has been found
to be we'll watered. At the regular
monthly meeting, held yesterday after
noon and presided over by Mrs. P. D.
Browne, the subject was thoroughly dis
cussed and great enthusiasm was ex-
pressed.
Eight of the lady members of the board
pied ged themselves to raise 500 each. and
as $4O0 is already in hand it was resolved
that this was sufficient to authorize the
opening of negotiations with the owner of
the farm, and committee OF two was ap-
pointed to examine the title and report on
Saturday. 1t was stated at the meeting
chase such an active canvass for funds will
be inaugurated that the sum needed to
complete the amount will soon be in
hand.
A lady, who desired her name to be sup
pressed, announced through one of the
members of the board yesterday that as
soon as the farm is purchased she will do
nate $500 toward founding an old ladies'
home in connection with the orphanage,
and it was resolved to accept her offer and
inaugurate one. The home will differ from
most other institutions Of the kind, as 10
initiation fee will be asked. Old ladies
will be required to pay $40 month for the
privilege of remaining in the home, but
they will be able to come and go as they
please.
At present the orphanage in the Gilbert
House is sadly crowded. ThereIare sixty
nine children and il was resolved TO limit
the mum Der to seventy on account of lack
of accommodation. This is one of the
reasons for the desire TO acquire the farm
and commence building Immediately, as
donations of Der tor all building pur-
poses have been promised, and the ladies
believe that they have enough promises of
furniture to fit out the orpnanage and the
old ladies home. At present the orphan
age is badly in need of donations of gra-
ham meal, -four and groceries.
In connection with the Gil bert House ct
San Rafael charming cottage is now
ready for young girl workers in stores,
etc., who want country outing but cam
not afford to go 10 farm. A fee of So a
month will be charged for rooming at the
cottage, but the girls will be expected to
provide their own meals, cooking accom-
modations being provided. The kinder
garten cottage being closed for the sum-
mer will be turned into fresh-air cottage,
where poor children from the City o
are in need of a little country air will be
taken care OF by matron and boarded at
the orphanage.
Mrs. P. d. Browne OF 1165 Jackson street,
Oakland, and Mrs. W. B. Noble of San
Rafael are making an active canvass to
raise funds in order Il at the farm orphan
age may be inaugurated without any debt.