The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-29
rWENTY.NNTH ANNUAL REPORT
or the Chidren's Home "A Brief
Summary for the Year.

or the Children's Home "A Brief
Summary for the Year.
It has been customary to publish a
brief report Of the work Of the Chill
dren,s Home Of the city Of Wheeling
each year Ia the month Of June Re
ports OF several committees were IN
ayoldably delayed this year and in con-
sequence the general report was with
held until the present. A brief sum-
mary for the year. together with few
occurrences are herewith submitted.
The cause Of homeless. neglected and
destitute children is one that touches
tender chords in human hearts. With
out even an advocate It appeals
strongly TO our common humanity.
CaIlous indeed Is the heart that will not
respond to the cry Of unfortunate little
ones.
The people Of this city have always
been IN sympathy with the humane and
Christ like work Of the chIldren's
Home.
The home has a grand record along
the line Of Christian and charitable
work. In the twenty-nine years OF It's
existence It has sheltered. fed, clothed
and given proper moral and home train
ing to the many children placed In Its
care. A helping hand has been extend
ed in times Of need to save from ignor-
ance, vice and want children whose
parents had died and left them, thosa
whose parents could not or would not
care for them and some who were
abused by their mothers and forsaken
by their fathers, In caring for these
children the home has rendered val
liable service to the community, for we
well know that the criminal classes are
largely made up Of those whose child
hood has been passed amid debastng
influences, or perhaps merely neglect
ed. Many Of the children cared for by
the home have been bound out into
well-to-do families and proved a bless
ing to their households and many have
become respectable, self-supporting and
useful members Of society.
The work Of the past year has been
similar to that OF other years. II was
carried on quietly but efficiently. The
board Of directors, elected by the stock
holders, have the government and con-
troll OF the institution. They appoint
annually a board OF lady managers,
who give faithful attention to all house
hold affairs, the admission OF children,
their daily needs and final disposition.
The feeling Of personal responsibility
and unselfsh interest manifested by the
lady managers Is highly commendahle.
They held twelve meetings during the
year to consider measures pertaining
to the welfare Of the institution. at
each meeting full reports were received
from the various standing committees
and the matron. The board OF direc-
tors met at the exIgencies OF the work
required.
The average number OF children in
the home the past year was equal to
previous years. Twenty-Five new chill
dren were admitted. Sixteen were girls
and six were boys. Their ages ranged
from two to twelve years. Some OF these
children were rescued from homes OF
vice and sin while others were placed
in the home by loving parents who
were unable to provide for them. Cases
of abused or neglected children
brought to the attention Of the mama
gers were always promptly investigated
by the admission committee.
Twelve children were taken out dur
ing the year. They have good perma-
nent homes and are happy.
There are twenty children in the
home at present. Those Of proper age
attended the Clay school as heretofore
and the younger ones were successfully
instructed part Of the year by a kinder
garten teacher employed by q lady
friend OF the home. This Is the ftrst
time a teacher Of this character has
been engaged, and the favor with which
Kindergarten work for the very young
is received everywhere makes 1t a
great privilege for the little ones at the
home. children attended the
English Lutheran Sabbath school and
were taken to one Of the churches for
Sunday morning service. The custo-
mary picnics and entertainments and
the Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas
treat all brought Joy and gladness to
the hearts of the boys and girls. The
general health Of the children has been
remarkably good,
The annual sack-gathering Is recog-
nIzed as part OF the regular work Of
the institution. The donations, by this
means. last Thanksgiving, were as
generous and useful as other years.
The future development Of the insti-
tuition has been given considerable at
tentIon by the directors. The home
building on the corner Of Thirteenth
and Jacob streets, purchased twenty
seven years ago and occupied ever
since, is no longer suitable. II has been
decided to erect a new building. mod
ern and commodious, designed with
special reference to the needs OF the
home This has opened wide field for
thought and planning.
We take pleasure in returning our
thanks to ali who have in any way con-
trIbuted to this worthy charity, and
we are profoundly grateful to the
Father OF all for what has been nc
complIshed. Following is the report OF
the treasurer, John X. List:
RECEIPTS.