The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-02
AT THE RESCUE MISSION
OVER A THOUSAND WERE FED AND
MADE HAPPIER YESTERDAY.
New Years Reception to the Needy
and the Givers Alike-The
Kindergarten.

1t was indeed a happy New Years day for
the hundreds of poor people who were given
the glad hand at the South Side Rescue
Mission and Home, corner of Pennsylvania
and South streets, yesterday afternoon and
evening. The observance of the day was
to begin at o'clock p m, but as early
as 10 o'clock in the morning the people be-
gan arriving, some coming as far as from
the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and
the Panhandle shops, on East Washington
street. Some told w. V. Wheeler, superin>
tendent of the home, that they had had
nothing to eat all day, and all such were
welcomed, if anything more warmly than
those who were beginning the year under
more fortunate circumstances. By the time
the missions open Housekeeping ended at 10
o. clock last night about 1850 had been made
happier and less hungry.
1t was day of merrymaking, and many
prominent women of the city assisted Mr..
and Mrs. Wheeler in dispelling the gloomy
conditions of the most unfortunate who
came. In the afternoon the first hour was
devoted to the children who attend the
daily kindergarten at the home. About $50
participated in the kindergarten games and
marches. The walls Of the building rang
with the gleeful laughter of the little girls
and boys as they participated in the amuse-
ments. Afterward they were Toasted on a
substantial luncheon of coffee, deviled ham
sandwiches, fruit and cake.
please, Mr.. Wheeler" said one little girl,
may 1 take a sandwich home to mamma?'
Certainly" responded Mr.. Wheeler, real
izing that perhaps mamma had had moth
ing to eat. This emboldened other children.
All who remembered ''mamma'-and there
nf
something to take home.
While Mr.. Wheeler was cOnverSing with
a Journal reporter, one of the ladies said
to him:
lone OF our mothers from the mothers
meeting is here asking If she may not have
the scraps that are left She says that she
does not know what her family will have
to eat"
Let her have them by all means" said
Mr.. Wheeler, wishing in his big heart that
he might do more.
I'VE have many calls for help" said he
land somehow, we manage to find something
for the immediate necessities of ALL"
After the children had been made COM
Portable and happy the fathers and mothers
were invited to the table in the back room
home, in their uniform frocks, found it a
little difficult to edge in and out of the
crowd--where they were made to eat and
drink until they were satisfied.
Enormous quantities of excellent food had
been provided for the occasion and no one
was required to stint his appetite. Some
times those VINO are the partaKefS Oh bounty
are morose and sullen, but there was none
of that spirit at the home yesterday. The
atmosphere of the occasion was too happy
and every one went away with hearty
thanks for Mr.. Wheeler and those who were
assisting the feast. No man or woman was
permitted to leave without a hearty invita-
ton to come again. They were loath to
leave and the larger room was crowded al
day. Those who could sing gathered around
the organ and Joined in the songs that were
kept going most of the time. When the
organist grew tired and there were short
inteTmissions, the place was one din OF
laughter from the children, who played In
the crowd, and animated conversation from
their elders.
One little girl. who said to a companion
"Oh, amt this beautiful. l wish New Years
came every day." accurately expressed the
sentiment of every one who visited the mis-
sion Yesterday.