The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-15


the poor could always apply there and re-
ceive flowers to decorate the graves of
their dead free of charge. She also want
ed TO show what could be grown in the
way of many varieties of plants with the
ana or the favorable climate and soil Of
sacramento But it grew to be such a
trouble and expense that she presented
the conservatory to a relative living in
Sacramento.
IN 1888 some charitable women of Sac
ramento started a fund and were engaged
III organizing a home for old men and
women They bought a certain block of
land with a house, the old whitney place.
out soon found that they had undertaken
more than they could easily carry
through. 1t was then that Mrs. Margaret
Crockor came to the front and offered to
take the place off their hands and endow
1t as home for old ladies only She
remodeled the house, endowed the insti-
tuition at cost of $780, 900 and it was thus
that the well known Marguerite Home for
Old Ladies in Sacramento came into ex-
istence. 1t is intended for the better class
OF gentleWomen, who have not place in
which to spend their declining years and
the admittance fee is $500. The home will
accommodate about stwenty five old la
dies. 1t is pleasantly situated, and in the
midst of beautiful garden. 1t is under
the direction of a board of lady managers
and there is much peaceful rest and hap
piness there.
Mrs. Croker spent much time in SAN
FRANCISCO in the mansion at the corner Of
Washington street and Van Ness avenue,
when Mrs. Porter Ashe was living there.
That house was a wedding present from
Mrs. Croker to her daughter Amy Some
few years ago, finding that two of her
daughters-Jennie, who married Senator
j. Sloat Fassett of New York, and Amy,
now Mrs. Jackson Gouraud-were apt to
be permanently away from her, she de-
cided to remove to New York to be near
them. She did so and has since resided
at Larchmont Park, New York, where
she had a most beautiful home, her
grounds adjoining those of her daughter
Amy. Sacramento received another gift
as a consequence of Mrs. Crocker's re-
moVal to New York. She presented her
handsome mansion ~ Third and o
streets, which must have been full of the
memories of her first and happiest Cali
fornia days for her, to local charity for
the purpose of a Rescue Home. Since
then she has lived very quietly never
having sought to live in society at any
time in her life purely for her own pleas
ure.
Mrs Croker had three other children.
now deceased. Katie, the eldest, married
j. OBJ. Gum Of San Francisco The 9th
ers were daughter Nellie and q son who
died in infancy. Two years ago Mrs.
Croker paid a visit to San Franc SEQ and
began the erection of home at the cor
ner of Franklin and Clay streets. Find
ing upon her return to New York that
she would remain there permanently, the
house was sold without her ever having
seen it, One of her San Francisco chart
ties was the endowment of two beds in
the Woman's Hospital.
Always of the most simple tastes, shc
found in the quiet of her life at Larch-
mont restful spot in which to pass her
declining years. Her own life was not
free from troubles but she believed evil
of no one and lost much of the sting of
her own cares in her constant care for
others. One of her greatest pleasures at
Larchmont was to take a couple of ser
wants and spend the day in the WOODS,
near the water if possible, for she always
loved nature. With her wealth she was
the object of constant applications for
financial help from all sorts and condi-
lions Of people, and always made it a
point to send courteous answer to these
letters if possible In some cases she did
extend help to perfect strangers if she
found they were deserving and had made
some effort to help themselves, which was
always a recommendation to her charity.
She was always unostentatlous, kindly
and approa enable to all-qualties which
endeared her to the people of Sacrament
to, particularly in the early days when
the amenities of life were perhaps less
thought Of,
At the beginning of the long illness
which resulted in her death Mrs. Croker
had just purchased and moved into new
house on East Forty-ninth street New
York, and had the pleasure of seeing her
daughter. Mrs. Gouraud, settled in a new
home very near by her. Then. at the age
of 70 years. .his true-hearted woman OF
"gentle soul, to human race a friend"
passed peacefully away surrounded by her
loved ones. She leaves number of rela-
tiVes i'm San Francisco to mourn and cher
ish her memory. Her ashes will be
brought to Sacramento to rest beside
those Of her late husband.