Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-01-07
FERRIS INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
Infornaation Cleaned During Visit TO the
IuHtitutiuu. r..

Information Cleaned Durfng visit to the |
Institutiou. |
Through the courtesy OF one OF the |
managers an interesting visit WAS on |
Friday made to the Ferris Industrial |
School. All citizens who can should
60 and see for themselves the workings
Of this admirable and valuable institu-
tion. The genial superintendent showed
the writer through the various depart
ments OF work and study. There is
evidently an aifectionate response from
the boys to the kindly interest and
care bestowed upon them by Mr.. and
Mrs. Ha;nes, the supermtendenls, and
the order and beauty of the home and
its surroundings must have refining
influence on their lives,
Christmas Day was quietly but
pleasantly spent by them. Through
the kindness OF three Wilmington
ladies, three dozen skates we're sent
out on Christmas eve, and the boys
heartily enjoyed skating on the pond
which has been made on 'rhe grounds.
| A good dinner, including roast chickens
and mince pies was equally appreciated
| by the sharpened appetites of the boys,
and afterward prizes were distributed
| to those who had been perfect in their
Sunday. school work There were songs
aud recitations, and music by the parlor
orchestra of seven pieces. Like every
| thing else about the institution, the
music is made by the boys themselves,
there heing, besides the orchestra, a
band Of Is pieces, which makes enough
money by playing at hravest home aud
church entertainments to pay for the
music used.
A II OF the work OF the farm and house
is done by the boys under the direction
of teachers in each department all
of the sewing. cooking, baking, wash
ing, ironing and scrubbing- spot.
lessly clean were tables, floors and
windows, and every place about the
house. at the time of the unexpected
visit of the writer.
4 In the manual training room boys
with bright, interested faces were busy
with saw and plane and chisel. The
stoclaof manufactured articles was low.
as many had been sold at Christmas,
but handsome inlaid tabourette aid
checker board remained to show the
skill Of some of the pupils. An order
for kindergarten tables is being filed.
A really handsome and well-made
writing desk with drawers and pigeon
hules was Grated, ready for shipment,
and folding tables for invalids, oak card
tables, book cases, wall cabinets, fold.
ing screens, step ladders, sleeve press
ing boards, clothes horses and poles,
benches and boxes of all kinds are care
fully made.
Every article Of clothing worn by the
boys is made by them, except boots,
stockings and their Sunday caps. Piles of
neat uniforms and suits of jeans showed
their skill as tailors. 1t is desired to
teach them shoemaking also, but facili-
ties for this are not yet at hand. A color
ed youth sat 10 corner industriously
!, hammering at a new sole on his boot,
while another was bravery endeavoriDg
: with needle and thread to bridge an
immense chasm that yawned in his
, stocking. Tires of the former pupils
l who have secured situations elsewhere,
! we're back on visit to the school as to
D a home, and they were found merrily
, chatting with their teacher.
' A part of each day is spent in the
school room. The boys, who number
, so at present, are divided into squads,
2 and changed from one kind of work to
/! another Those who work at their
! school lessons in the morning, taking
{ their turn in the work-room, or on the
e farm in the afternoon. but always
|
petent instructors. The management
4 seems most fortunate in having secured
u superintendents and teachers so ad
t mirably fitted for the work, but there
C Is need of still one more officer. a visi
n tor, such as other similar institutions
o have, to look after the boys, after they
q have left the school, to learn il the,
4 have suitable homes. and environments
Il that will continue the work of reform
h so we'll begun by the school. Lack o
II sufficient funds, (Which it is hoped tn,
n future may supply), alone prevents th,
IL securing OF such IA person.
y The success of this school is so i'm
@ portant to the welfare of the Who'll,
4 community that, if only in self
d defence, each citizen might feel will
o ing to contribute to its support, ana t
IF that of the kindred institution 70
10 girls in Wilmington. Even from al
o economic standpoint. it is better t
II supply, as far as possible, the good in
% fluences, restraints and teaching tina
a have been missing in the homes u
these unfortunate opes, than for societ
d to have to protect itself from the con
u sequences of allowing them to gro,
| up utterly lacking all of these.