The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-09
HOME NEEDS ATTENTION
GRAND JURY VISITS BOARD OF
GUARDIANS INSTITUTION.
Poor Conditions Surrounding the Lit
tie Ones There-Ofd Morris Home
stead Tax Case on Trial.

The grand Jury made a partial report yes
terday and will make another to-day. The
report made yesterday is of little interest
10 the public, but IL is expected that the
one 10 come to-day will contain matter in
which all are interested. Last Saturday
the members of the grand jury spent the
entire day at the Board of Chidren's
Guardians Home. and found many unpleas-
ant conditions. 1t is understood that moth
ing was found which reflects in any way
upon those in charge, for it is said that
the matron and others who have charge of
the institution are doing good work with
but little in the way of material assistance.
The main faults found by the inyestiga-
ton, and which will probably be included
in the report of institutions, lies in the
fact that the home has not been given the
proper attention by those charged with
providing a suitable place for these home
less children. 1t was found that the Sleep
ing apartments are entirely inadequate and
that the provision for the comfort of the
children amounts TO almost nothing. 1t
found that thirty-fve children occupy the
place, while for beds they use small cots.
There not being enough cots for all, III
many cases two children occupy one mar
row cot, sleeping at opposite ends. with
their feet together. These cots are crowd
ed together in very unsanitary manner.
The kitchen was found to be in good con-
dition so far as cleanliness is concerned.
but entirely inadequate to the needs or
the institution 1t is a small room, proba-
bly, not more than by 10 feet. and has a
range that is too small for the purpose ana
which will not get hot enough TO properly
cook food.
Probably the greatest objection to the
home comes from the condition of the yard
surrounding it,. The yard has dirt sur
face. and in winter time becomes "a mud
hole, into which the children's feet sink
very time they step out of the house. Ii
Is mire from. one end to the other for
the possibility of allowing the children any
outdoor exercise for several months each
year.
The sewerage of the place is bad. There
is supposed to be a sewer running from
the home to Pleasant run, but no outlet
could be found, and the bad odors that
arise gives color TO the belief that the
sewer is blind one.
While the children were found to be kepr
quite noticeable that they were mostly
dressed in what would be termed rags in
any home in the city. In some casese the
holes have been patched but in others they
are still there, and act as ventilators. II
is not known that these things will be
included in the grand jury's report, but this
is the state of affairs il exists at the
home. and the grand jurors saw the condi-
ton during their visit.
Ten indictments were returned yesterday
and the grand jury recommended the re-
lease of James WEIGH, held for burglary
and Charles Smith, held for petty larceny.
The indictments that were made public are
as follows:
George Johnson. Jan. 81. assault on
George Jones with intent TO murder.
John Ryan. Jan. %, burglary of the store
house Of Daniel Maroney, 142 Michigan
street, Haughvile, and larceny of thirty
three dollars worth of watches and jew
elry.
Joseph Griffin, Jan. o. larceny of one
overcoat valued at So. one pair OF trousers
valued at s. and one suit of clothes valued
at $40 from Eliza Schooey LIS West Mary
land street
Joseph Griffin Jan. 81 larceny of one
overcoat valued at $40 from Harry Alsop.
IFS West Maryland street.
William Dark, Jan. 20. entering the store
room of the Pink Shoe Manufacturing Com
pany, % East South street. for the purpose
of committing felony and the larceny of
fifteen pairs of shoes valued at $780,
Pleasant Glenn, Jan. 50 assault 1on Philip
Brock, a farmer living on the Bridgeport
road, and robbery of 1886 in money.
Tillie Aikens, Aug. Is, 1896, larceny of one
set of dishes valued at 81. five jars valued
at 81 and one castor valued at So from Anna
Stewart. Wilcox street.
Charles Rounds and Joshua MundOn Jan
20. entering the storeroom of the Gordon
kurtZ Company. l4l South Meridian street
to commit felony and larceny of eleven
robes valued at $50.
Foster Parker and Robert Elliott, Jan.
20, larceny of two vests valued at So from
John Clune, Worlds Fair.