Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-12
THE MAGDALEN HOME
ANNUAL REPORT OF PRESIDENT
OF THIS INSTITUTION.
MR.. THOMAS BRAHCRS INVESTMENT.
He Gave the First $500 which Led
to tho Establishment of the Home,
which f. Now Well Endowed-An
Interesting Case.
Interesting Case.

The following is the annual report Of
DR.. w. w. Parker, president of the Mag
dalen Association:
AS the report for the present year will
not be very lengthy, It may be found
profitable to review our work from the
beginning. Such reviews are often profit
able and encouraging to our faith and
trust In God. At the late monthly meet
ing Of the Board Of Managers / was
instructed to make this report for pub
licatlon. Among the first papers ] came
across was the printed copy of our first
annual report. dated 1874. printed by Mr..
II. S. Ackerley. The following were then
the Board of Managers. IT'S sad to no.
tice the number dead-those having died
being indicated by asterisks-but pleasant
to remember their good deeds.
Officers-William w. Parker, NJ. D.,
president; 'Judge Robert Ould, vice-presi-
dent; Thomas Branch, Esq, treasurer;
william p. Munford. Esq, secretary; 81.
y. Watkins, physician.
Board Of Directors-'J. 3. Cary, 'P. II.
Starke, &c. o. Noting, Thomas Potts,
r. l.. Brown, ]. S. Wexford. NJ D., Pro-
fessor Charles II. Winston, William War
rem, Jr., 'John A. Belvin. j. Mitchell
Daniel Captain Il. j. Levy, 'John u.
| Crenshaw, 'Philip b. Harvard.
! Lady Committee assistant Board OF
Managers)-Mrs. General b. T. Johnson
| (presdenD, 'Mrs. j. Il. Jeter (secretary),
'AIrs. James Thomas Mrs. Thomas
| Branch Mrs. William A. Jenkins. Mrs.
Benjamin Gray. Mrs. - Smith, 'Mrs. DR..
Knox, Mrs. John Stewart Walker, 'Mrs.
Pike Powers. Mrs. "A. Y. Stokes. Mrs.
John b. Cary. and. Mrs. Charles Car
rington.
Honorary Directors-For Norfolk: Rev.
r. NJ. Saunders. Tazewell Taylor and Il.
r. Powell. For Petersburg: Dr. David
Steele. Rev. John Bayley, and Robert +.
Jackson. For Portsmouth: George NJ.
Balm. For Lynchburg: DR.. Thomas l..
Walker, j. Peter Williams, Rev. Il. w.
Hooper, and ID. M. Il. Christian. For
Danvile: Captain w. Z. Robinson and
c. II. Hickey.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY.
A brief history of this society may, to
our young people especially, be suggestive
and profitable. l had been sending, by
the permission Of the Magdalen Associa-
ton of Philadelphia, established 100 years
ago, all penitent women in the city. They
had taken them from our jail, and some
times paid their fare to that city. The
time came, however. when L thought we
should take upon ourselves the care OF
our own unfortunates. To do this, 1 con-
Guided 10 start a subscription, and wished
to get some gentlemen OF means to help.
L appealed to the late Thomas Branch,
and urged him TO give a donation Of 500,
telling him that this would ensure our
success, and that thus he would lay the
foundation Of charity which would do
good long after his death. and yield a
far greater profit than any bonds he pos
sessed. He gave the check cheerfully,
and l believe, in faith. The next day the
late Judge Ould and / took a carriage,
and he, by his eloquent appeal in behalf
OF the unfortunate, raised 5000. This en-
abled US to begin work. i mention this |
incident, not only to honor Thomas |
Branch's memory, but to suggest that in
attempting to start enterprises of benevo- |
lence it is well to get the aid Of both |
liberal and wealthy men. This was the |
first Magdalen Asylum established in the |
South, and We took women from all the |
Southern States, as well as Virginia. But |
since then six or eight institutions have |
been established among us-one as far |
south as Texas. This, in some sort. ac-
counts for the small number here. This
Profitable investment, truly Let wise
men invest in such stock. The Home for
Incurabes is one of them; and also the
Male Orphan Asylum. There are many
others needing help in the city. The So
ciety was in the form OF joint stock
company, and 1 have the names OF the
eighty-seven stockholders. No subscrip-
ton was less than $25-many OF them
hundreds. Their names will be found in
the pamphlet soon to appear. Like all
new institutions, we had reverses and op-
position, but we triumphed over all, and
by the liberality Of the late On. Gregg
we now own a large and well-arranged
house and nearly an acre of ground. BY
his endowment Of $4,000, Mr.. HaxalPs do
nation of $1,000, and Mejor Ginters late
500. we are now well endowed TO con-
tinue this work for years to come.
LAST YEARS REPORT.
Number received in home last year. .1s
Number returned to home and friends. 2
Number sent TO situations. ..............4
Number unimproved and left............4
Number at home to-day and doing we'll 5
Dedlh''.. .''''. 1900 $1,000. ............. l
A PENITENT MAGDALEN.
Among the most interesting patients
received last year was the one that died
on the oath Of March. Her history is
most interesting. and has been to me an
lnfaiiing source of pleasure. She came
10 us on the 18th of May, 1897, rather |
delicate in health. She conducted her |
self very WELL indeed, and we got her a |
and paid her fare of 81 to her
lew home, which In due time she CRATE
fully repaid. Her health soon broke,
Town. however, and she returned to us {
IN the sd Of last November She had
confirmed consumption and was greatly
afflicted with her throat; had lost her
1oice, and her whole condition was most
distressing. 1t was feared by some that
he was laboring under Specific" disease.
md 1t was suggested she be sent to the
Iimshouse, but we concluded, after care
al consideration, not to do So Her !
mind became concerned about religion
nd she sought Rev. Mr.. Illusions advice
he also, by her kindness, secured the
Election Of one OF her associates in the
ONE, who gave her most careful nursing. | ,
OR all attentions shown her she |
WINGED the most sincere gratitude. and | [
efore her death. by will, made arrange I
lents to return what compensation She I
ould for this kindness l did not see {
er very often, until within a few days
her death. My visits were painful 70
lie, as l saw no hope Of relief, and her
lfrerings were intense. Her whole an y
earance was most distressing, Every =,
tempt TO talk was painful, TO the | q
steiner But, wonderful to relate. three | =
avs before death a sudden change took | .
lace, which / cannot explain. All per
'ns familiar with the Bible have been
rack with the explanations, or de-