The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-14
WORK FOR THE FALLEN
CONDUCTED At THE RESCUE MIS-
SION By w. v. WHEELER.
The story Of n Young Girl from the
Country Who Was Saved-Many
Cases Can Be Cited.

One evening not long ago a young wom-
an, bareheaded and with cheeks flushed
with exercise. slipped into the chapel of
the Rescue Mission. at Pennsylvania and
South streets, and took seat in the rear.
The service was in progress. but w. V.
Wheeler. superintendent of the mission,
saw the girl and made up his mind that
she did not belong in that neighborhood.
She was plainly, but neatly. dressed and
her general appearance indicated that she
was perhaps from the country. AS the
services were about closing the superin-
tendent reached the conclusion that the
girl required assistance. He went to her
and asked her TO come into the office after
the services were over. The girl did as he
asked and the superintendent tactfully
and kindly indicated to her that ne thought
she needed help and he was ready to aid
her.
The girl said she was in no trouble, but
she did not like her surroundings. That
day she had come to the city from her
country home and had taken service in
q cheap hotel in the neighborhood of the
mission. There was a saloon and wineroom
near the hotel. When night came the girl
began to feel that she had perhaps come
10 the wrong place. While she thought Of
her condition the sound of music fell on
her ears. 1t was vocal music and she
could distinguish voices blended together
IN hymn. She guessed that religious
exercises were being held in the neigh
borhood. Lets go to church." she said to
the other girls. but they laughed at her.
She said she would go alone and started
out without her hat. Directed by the sound
OF the music. she presently found herself
at the door of the Rescue Mission.
THE GIRL SAVED.
"She wouldn't have lasted two days
longer in that place. said Superintendent
Wheeler the other day, recalling this case
and speaking from a moral standpoint. Mr..
Wheeler said he talked to the girl and
found that she was willing to do the best
for herself that was possible. She gave
up her place at the hotel at once. and the
superintendent procured for her place in
a good family. This is only one Of the
hundreds of cases that come under the
notice of the superintendent of the Rescue
Mission, and it is only of numerous
cases where men and women have been
saved by a timely word or a prayer from
the lips OF those in charge of the mission.
The institution was started in October, 1893,
at No. 81 East South street. In September,
1895. it was moved to the building it now
occupies. and in addition "a building ad-
joining it was utilized. The place was then
known as the Rescue Home for Fallen
Women In the three years the institution
maintained home for erring ones three
hundred girls were taken care OF. Now
there is no regular home in connec-
ton. In addition to the chapel, Mr.. Wheeler
has his Office, and there are two or three
rooms upstairs occupied by Mrs. Mary j.
Armstrong, the matrOn. Miss Rena bowler
IS the missionary for the institution.
Services held at the mission every
night In the week except Wednesday and
Thursday These are the nights that pray
er meetings are held in many of the city
churches. Superintendent Wheeler usually
conducts the services, but there Is always
a minister or leading layman in attend
ance from one Of the churches of the city.
Sunday school is also held at the mis-
sion. There is music at each service, Mrs.
Mary Springer usually presiding at the
organ. The office is always open to the
public and on cold, raw days there Is a
blazing fire both in the office and chapel.
Superintendent Wheeler is at the mission
most Of the time ready to say cheering
word to the weak and fallen. A record
is kept of all who call at the mission. The
books show that last year 1907 people came
there to be helped. Superintendent Wheeler
has found job of work for many a man
whom he has first saved from himself
and placed on his feet. No deserving per-
son is sent away from the mission unaided
If he needs food or lodging he is sent to
some place where it is furnished him. For
thirty years Mr.. Wheeler has been work
ing among the unfortunate poor ana ne
IS able to distinguish in almost every case
the really deserving.
MANY HAVE BEEN SAVED.
Many men and women have been saved
at the Rescue Mission. A story is told OF
a German, a young man named Herman
Wiess who came into the chapel one night
while meeting was in progress. He had
been drinking and his general appearance
indicated his position in society. He was
a tramp, and presented most unattrac-
tive appearance. Superintendent Wheeler
got hold of him and made a man of him.
He went from here to Louisville and IS
there now, leading an honest and indus
trious life. A few weeks after WieSS went
away another young German drifted into
one of the meetings at the Rescue Mission
He was much like the other one in appear
ance. He sat down in the rear OF the
chapel, and a man went back to talk TO
him, as he a stranger. He said he
wanted to see Mr.. Wheeler. The superin-
tendent went to him, and he said he had
come from Louisville, where Herman Wiess
lived. He said Herman had told him that
Mr.. Wheeler could save him, and he had
come to be saved. He was looked after by
the superintendent, and his reformation
was complete. Superintendent Wheeler fire.
quently visits Police Court and often helps
a Wretched man or woman who deserves
assistance or advice. He visits the county
workhouse once a week. and also the City
Hospital.
When the mission was irst started II was
not received with favor by the saloon men
and drug store proprietors in the neighbour
iOod. 1t is said that in these places roughs
have been given liquor to drink, in the
hope that they would break up the meet
ings at the Rescue Home. as it was called
then.