The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-27
reared in the conditions which so in

reared in the conditions which so in
juriously affect them.
This work is no experiment. While
1T has been in operation here only ten
years, it has provided for over fourteen
hundred children. Since the opening OF
the school in December, 1886, and up
to Dec. 1, 1896, the number received
was lap; of these POI were remaining
in the school at the latter date. the
others having, with few exceptions,
been placed in good homes to the
mutual advantage of both themselves
and their foster parents.
In describing the school and sur
roundings the report says:
The premises consist of 100 acres of land
on an elevation adjoining and overlooking
the city of Owatonna and the beautiful river
valley at that place. The land is rolling, we'll
drained, and affords an attractive site. The
Chicago & Northwestern railroad crosses the
farm, and a switch has been laid to accommo-
date the school, to that building material,
fuel, and all goods in CARROTS are delivered
on the grounds.
The administration building, which occupies
a central position in a group of ten, contains,
in the central section, the superintendent
Office, public reception room, chlldrens and
employees dining rooms, superintendent
family rooms and the rooms Of the clerk,
matron. teachers and other employees; In the
south wing. rooms for the accommodation OF
a family of children. and in the north wing
an assembly hall, matrons office, sewing
room and sleeping rooms.
Around this building are irregularly placed
nine others; namely. boiler and engine
house, water tower, electric works and laun-
dry, a hospital, a school house and six cot
tages.
All of these except the state agents cot
tage, are warmed by steam from the central
pant and all are lighted by electricity. The
state agents cottage is warmed with hot air
from furnace. Modern improvements in
cooking and laundry apparatus have been
introduced.
Besides the buildings described there are
two barns Of sufficient capacity to accommo-
date the needs of the farm, shed for the
storing of machinery and tools, and pig
gerry.
The total cost Of the whole outfit is $751;,
1928
At the time of their admission, about
Cne-third Of those Of school age had
never attended school. Some had
never known home, some had educa-
tionai and mental training. Some are
of good habits, others show the results
OF vicious street training and neglect.
These unfOrtUnateS are brought to the
home life which is the foundation Of
the institution. Everywhere is the
home feature prominent. The children
are housed in cottages, residing with
woman who bears the close and init
mate relation Of mother to them. They
are carefully guarded and the indiVidu
atty of each preserved. They are not
walled in. Life in all of it's enjoyment
is theirs. Books, music, flowers,
spUrts-everything is at command when
their school day is ended and simple
duties performed. Out Of doors in fair
weather, they have all manner of
games; while in stormy weather and
in the long winter evenings, there are
the gymnasium, the library, the sitting
room. Then sleeping rooms are large
airy and supplied with iron cots The
bath is a daily feature to each inmate.
YINl. i +N1rc. in
truthfulress, in regularity of habits of
play as we'll as work. AS the aver
age home life of each child is only
about ten months, it has not been
practical to undertake any industrial
pursuits other than those afforded by
the floral, engineering and electrical
department, the care Of house, gardens,
grounds and farm. Stenography and
typeWriting, are successfully taught.
The girls are educated in the arts of
the housewife while the boys are at
work on the farm or in the stables.
Children are allowed to attend churches
In the city, and every Sunday after
noon a Sunday. school is held in which
the superintendent and all the matrons
and teachers assist.
The report of the board Of control
shows that the expenses for the last
two fiscal years were $50, 1883 in 1895.
and S36, 70 in 1896. The current ex
pense account shows deficit OF a.
$685. but with the $4,000 now avail
able for the ensuing year, 1t IS hoped
to meet expenses of the current year.
Minnesota dealers furnish the school
with supplies at wholesale rates, and
IS per cent 6fAthe money expended
during the biennial period was expend-
ed in the state. -. 80 -
The following estimate of the appro-
priations necessary for the coming
biennial period is as follows: Current
expenses, $4,000; state agency, $1,000;
repairs and improvements, $4,000; new
school house, $4,000; other equipments
and buildings, $10,S0O.
There have been received at the
school since it was opened LAPS chill
dren. Homes have been found for
1,027 Hennepin county leads the list.
sending 497 children; Ramsey, 119; st.
Louis, 1O1 The Americans lead in ma
tionality with 453 inmates; the Ger
mans, 222; Irish, 109; Scandinavians.
315 Twelve of these indigents were In
dians.
The care and education Of this large
family is entrusted to forty-one per-
sons. under the direction of Prof. G. A.
Merrill, whose salary is $1,000. The
product of the farm in 1895 was SO, 789.-
26; in 1896. was $4,580.75 The per capita
cost in 1861, with A children to care
for, was $17S.44 Each year there has
been a decrease until In 1866. with
9S2 children under care, the per capita
cast was but $41.13.
The report includes a detailed state
ment Of the work and expenses of the
state agent, whose duty it Is to in
vestigate the claims of candidates for
admission; to ascertain whether per-
sons desiring to secure children are
fit to provide for and raise them. and to
keep watchful eyes on the states wards
and return them to the school If not
properly trained and cared for.