The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-05
TRAINING FOR GIRLS.
Work and Needs of the Industrial
SchooI-AppeaI in Its Behalf.

SCAOOA-APpSsAA IN
t. the Editor Of the Indianapolis journal:
The intelligent women of to-day are not
only trying to aid the world by the advan-
tages which education has given them, but
they are constantly seeking new methods
for development in every direction which
may be of benefit to themselves and the
advancement of special lines of work in
which their interests lead them. In 1889 the
Girls Industrial School was organized with
twenty pupils three teachers and so cents
in the treasury. The goods with which we
began our work were donated, and money
for our rent wiz. s. per month"; was So
lcited. We occupied very meager quarters
on East Washington street. After three
months room in the courthouse was given
us free Of charge. The rapid growth of the
school necessitated larger quarters, where
the scholars might be assembled in one
room. An application was made to the
Board of Public Works for the use Of Tom
linson Hall. After some discussion the
board granted the managers of the school
the use of the hall. on Saturday afternoons,
free of charge, when not otherwise occu-
pied. During the past year we have not
been allowed to use the hall one-third of
the year. and have been obliged to move
from che place to another, thereby dis
couraging the ever-faithful teachers and
deprlV1nS the scholars OF the usual time for
the session, and also the use of their COM
portable chairs, which have been provided
them for sewing. For seven SATURDAYS we
were obliged to meet at Masonic Hall, al
though the room was not sufficiently large
for our work. Through the kindness of
together with the hall. We struggled
through these disadvantages until permitted
to return to Tomlinson Hall, where we
were allowed to remain two Saturdays. APP
plication was then made to the County
Commissioners for the use of the Superior
and Criminal Court rooms. Through their
kindness we were permitted to meet in
these five rooms, but on account of lack
of seating capacity over one hundred Of
There we worked through every disadvan-
tage for nine weeks. Then we went back
to the han, where we could enjoy being
together in one room, and be seated on the
comfortable little sewing chairs and have
our lockers for our work However, this
pleasure allowed us but two Satur-
days, when we were told the hall was rent
ed, and we must again seek other quarters.
IL would be i'm possible for a public not con-
nected with the school to realize how difficult
1t has been TO keep discouraged teachers
and scholars together under all these trials,
and were 1t not for the great love these
faithful teachers have for the little help
less ones and the everlasting hope we have
of sometime having a home for our work
we should long since have given up the
struggle. Week by week the school has
grown until we now have about 500 pupils,
with 131 teachers and officers. We also have
home. The best-hearted ladies in the city
give Of their time gratuitorsly to teach
these little ones each Saturday from the
first Saturday in October to the last Sat-
urday in May: also to visit in the homes
of their classes and report any who are in
need of our help, account of sickness,
lack of employment These cases are re-
ferred to the Charity Organization and
Flower Mission, who aid in supplying their
wants. After the little girl has been with
us for several years or until the last year
of her cou9e: she is placed in dress maxi
ing class. Miss Emma Edwards, who is a
graduate of drafting and cutting school,
and has taught school of this sort in this
city for years, has kindly given her serv-
ices every Saturday free Of charge In this
class the little girl who has already learned
to put in the fine stitches, is taught to
draft, and cut, and make every garment
year, when she leaves our school, although
a child of fourteen years, she is prepared to
go into the world and make her living.
Children who have heretofore grown up in
ignorance of sewing. are prepared to make
better women, better mothers, better citi-
zens.
The question is often asked. Gould not
these children be taught in the Manual
Training School on the South Side?'
school pupils are admitted to the Manual
Training School. Our little girls never get
into the high school from the fact that
they must earn their own living before they
are far enough advanced for the high
school, and for this reason are denied the
benefit of that manual training ours is
the manual training for the poor. at least
In the lesson of sewing, and we hope that
in the not far distant future we may have
a home where we may take these little
helpless ones and teach them all domestic
training, fitting them to go into our homes
with thorough knowledge of all household
duties. These are the practical benefits our
little girls received but the teachers
greater office is that Of character building
while she superintends the lesson in sew
ing. Accuracy, patience, perseverance.
neatness and kindness ere insisted upon,
and these CHARACTERISTICS become a part Of
the child. The Germans are noted for their
cleanliness and thrift One cause of this IS
the thorough drilling they have had in zhe
German schools or manual training. BOYS
and girls who have been scientifically
trained incomparably more efficient
when they take up their life work. and the
mental discipline tens through life
This service being voluntary one il is
difficult to secure teachers well fitted for
the task Simple sewing belongs to the ma
terial phase but the weaving of charac-
little ones aWa6ens tenderest emotions. It
is a privilege to be surrounded by these
little children, to teach them, TO love and
be loved by them. To guide and instruct
them is a work which will react upon us
for good. Cannot our Christian women
think of our needs and resolve to aid us
for themselves a benediction? During the
year which ended May 81 last the school
used 1888 yards of material; number of gar
ments made, 1S45; amount of money eX-
pended, $524.55; number of pupils. S28; num-
Der of teachers. ia. The officers for the
ensuing year are as follows: President,
Mrs. Frank Blanchard: vice presidents,
Mrs. Caroline Ritter, Mrs, N. c. Smith;
secretary Mrs. NJ. l.. Whitock; treasurer,
Mrs. T. F. Kimball board OF directors,
Mrs. w. c. Hall Mrs. c. y. Kahlo. Mrs.
Grubb Mrs G.. Demerley, DIR. George
Sloan ana Mr. w, c. Hall.
MRS. FRANK BLANCHARD.
Indianapolis, July 3.