The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-17
FOR THE ORPHANS
lwenty-Three Homes Were
Secured Last Year.
OVER HUNDRED CARED FOR
In Ten Months By the Wichita
ChiIdren'S Home.

Mrs J. L. Dyer. secretary Of the Chill
dren's home, has submitted the follow
ing tenth annual report Of the work Of
the institution, showing the year just
closed to be the greatest in the history of
the home:
To the President and Board Of Directors
Once again have the books containg the
record of the years work been closed by
the recording angel, and today, standing
on the threshold of a new year, we pause
just long enough TO take a brief glance
over the way we have come, and gather
strength and inspiration for future effort.
The past year has been one of unusual
activity on the part of the management Of
the home. Children have come to US from
all over the state, thus enabling US 10 care
for larger number Of homeless little ones
than has ever been done In one year be-
fore since the organization of the insti-
tuition. Under the able leadership of our
president, the work has gone steadily
forward, in spite of all obstacles and
hinGTances. Mrs. Townsend. with the 10y
al spirit Of devoted self-sacrifice. has
spared neither time labor or strength in
endeavoring to promote the best interests
Of the cause. Mrs. Kelly has proved a
faithful and efficient matron, Of whom
It has often been remarked that her one
aim in this work seemed to be to do the
greatest possible good to the greatest
possible number. With her, the house on
the Hill is like the proverbial omnibus with
sol
is too dirty, degraded or ENJOYABLE to re-
ceive prompt attention and tender care
at her hands 1t is also largely owinegto
the careful and economical management
of the matron that the home has been
able TO get through the year free from
debt The unusually large number in the
family has made our expenses necessarily
larger than during some former periods,
but with close economy, we have man.
aged TO meet our bills. while still pro-
viding the children with all the neces-
saries and many Of the comforts Of life
Besides the regular expenses, considerable
money has been expended during the year
in necessary purchase for the house, for
things will wear out in public institutions
a. well as in our own homes. The most
expensive Item was the purchase Of a
new furnace which was greatly needed
on the scores of comfort, economy and
safety as the old one had become unfit
for use. A Judicious committee purchased
a secondhand furnace, good as new, at a
greatly reduced price, and a generous do |
nation from the Fraternal Aid society,
with smaller gifts from other friends, to-
gether with the proceeds Of an entertain
to meet this extra expense without in |
fringing on the regular income.
At Thanksgiving and Christmas the |
home was kindly remembered with many
gifts and generous donations, and the |
board takes this opportunity of again ex- |
pressing their gratitude to all who have |
so kindly aided in these matters. and for |
the warm sympathy which has been ex- |
tended to us in an unusual degree during |
the past year. Practical aid. together with |
offers OF help and assurances of SYM |
PATTY, have reached US from many quar-
tiers, and especially has this been no. |
tceable in the case of the various officials |
Of the city and county, whose hearty CO. |
operation has been a source of comfort, |
as well as material assistance.
Another matter for gratitude is the per- |
feet harmony which has prevailed in the |
board OF directors. A few necessary |
changes have occurred in the directory |
during the year. but we now have the |
requisite number. and today we stand |
thoroughly united IN this grand work, |
pledging ourselves to do all in our power /
to care for the little ones placed in our |
hands.
The statistics Of the years work are as !
follows: Number in home at beginning /
of year. Il; admissions. So Total cared /
for during the year. 10. OF these one |
has been placed in the Industrial school a /
Reloit. two have died, seventy-four have /
been returned to parents or guardians, /
twenty-three have been placed in homes, Y
and ten are now at the home.
These figures really represent the work /
of but ten and one-haf months, as for /
the past six weeks the home has been |
uuarantined. on account of scarlet fever, |
so that the work has practically been at /
a standstilI. no children being admitted /
during that time.
September was the banner month. there /
being a larger number of children cared I
for during that month than during any /
other since the organization Of the homo, |
and nearly rs many as were in tho home |
during the entire year OF 1891.
And now. after four years Of faithful |
service. our president feels that she must /
Law aside the work and rest for a time. |
While we realize deeply the loss this
will be 10 the cause. we still have faith !
to believe that from our ranks Of devoted /
workers just the right one will be led 70
step forth and in a spirit Of self-sacrifCe /
and conservation. take upon her shout
ders the burden of office 50 graciously /
borne by Mrs. Townsend. To such a one
we pledge the hearty cooperation. warm
sympathy and loyal support Of the board.
and bespeak, for her the same kindness
from all interested in the welfare Of the /
home. Respectfully submitted.
MRS J. L. DYER. Secretary.
Wichita. Kan, May y. 1898.
WAS A GOOD DAYS WORK