The age-herald., 1900-08-05
Boys, Farm


 While the Alabama Boys Industrial Farm and School Is an institution chartered by the State Birmingham feels an especial interest and pride in the completion of the school buildings. The exercises incident to the laying of the cornerstone took place the past week, and the main building is practically in readiness for the reception of the boys The farm is located one mile from East Lake, and includes 40 acres of fertile land.
 This site was a donation from the Comy mercial Club of Birmingham. The land iS splendidly adapted for the purpose of farm- ing. An appropriation of 5000 was made by the State, and the institution will bS supported by the counties. Through the personal efforts of Alabama women much of the material for the erection of tbs buildings was secured from firms and indfs viduals in all parts of the State.
 The administration building is four stories in height, as both the basement and thS attic are so constructed as to be brought into use. In the basement, that: is well lighted and ventilated, will be the pript2 ing, tailor, shoe and other workshops, toe gether with play room and bath rooms. The kitchen is also in the basement, which is equipped with dumb walters the dining room being on the second floor. The planA are complete that any improvement could not be suggested The main entrance which will be approached by a beautiful roadway through the farm, leads into q large reception hall, from which the main stairway arises. On this floor are the school rooms, the dining room, and the prit vate dining room and library of the su- perintendent The dining room and school room for the boys may be thrown into ono by means of the sliding doors, thus mak. ing apartment 70 feet long by 25 feet wide, and lighted at each end by a series of long windows It opens upon wide bal cony, from which one gets view of magnificent trees on a lawn, below which ripples a spring of ice cold crystal wateR that does not fail even in the droughts of summer. The dormitory is on the third floor, long, wide apartment sun-lighte4 while the hospital room and other apartA mentS are also on this floor. The garret will be used for storage and will be divided into separate apartments The entire butldy ing is finished in hard oil, and the plans call for all modern conveniences that from time to time will be added
 The classes of children that are reached by the farm follows: 4
 Children who are begging or using any mere cover for obtaining money.
 Children abandoned by their parents, or who have left their parents and are with. out means of support
 Idle children who will not work or go to school and have no support.
 Orphans without guardians or means to keep them from pauperism Children. whose mothers are drunkards, or lewd. or in prison, and are without supp i port or control
 Children whose parents are drupkards and do not support and control them. Children arrested for crime and who aps pear beyond the. control of their parents. Such children can be committal by any judge or by the parents themselves to tha reformatory, until they attain their maj jority.
 The superintendent was placed In charge of the farm several weeks ago, and several boys from the Birmingham police court have been at work on the farm for q month.
 Every county and community in the State will have boys to send to this institution The board of control desires that an asso, citation in each town and county be formed to cooperate with them in securing finans cial help, and to aid in the selection ot the boys who are to have the advantages of the school.
 This work is under a board of control, of which the following are the officers:
 President-Mrs. R. D. Johnston of Birnls ingham.
 Vice President-Mrs. eGroge B. EageN Montgomery
 Treasurer-Mrs. T. G. Bush, Birminss ham.
 Secretary-Mrs S. D. Cole. Woodlawn.
 Directors-Mrs. Erwin Craighead of Mo. bile. Mrs James G. Converse Of Selma, Governor Joseph F. ohnston, the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Agriculs fn