Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-01
BEAUTIFUL CHARITY.
FOUNDED AND ENDOWED ny PROF.
BELL, or WASHINGTON.
HOME FOR LITTLE CHILDREN.
eighty of the Little Ones. Twenty
without Homes or Parents, Cared
for During the summer-virsinia
Clerks Promoted.
HOME FOR LITTLE CHILDREN.
Eishty of the Little Ones. Twenty
without Homes or Parents, Cared
for During the summer-virsinia
Clerks Promoted.
BELL, OF WASHINGTON

Clerks Promoted.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. September 20
Especial! 1.-The Bell Summer Home. at
Co,onis, Beach, Va. founded and en-
Aeved by Professor Alexander M Bell,
a this city, and supported by suoscr'p-
t.ons ard the proceeds of entertainments,
largely by ladies in this city, has pro-
vided for about eighty little children this
summer twenty Of whom were "holiy
without homes or parents.
The life-stories of many of these chill
dren read Ike romances one iittle boy
was received at the home with 'ds
around his neck. on which were me
words. Please deliver at Bell Home Co
lonfal Beach, Va" Nothing is known OF
his parents or how he came to be apaff-
doned. He has been under the care OF
the home for about two years now. ana
is one Of the brightest and happiest of
all the children.
Another little child came into the hands
of the ladies of the home. with the
statement of a physician that the child
had but eighteen or twenty hours to live.
In speaking OF the case. he said 1t would
be useless to go to any trouble or 10
spend any time or money on the child,
as there was not the faintest chance Tor
its recovery. An operation of very Sc
we're nature had just been performed.
In which large tuyror had been cut
from one of the childs lungs. and life
was almost extinct. The child was given
immediate attention. however, by all the
ladies of the home, and as result OF
their careful and tender nursing the
little one is now fully recovered and re-
stored to health, and as strong and TO-
bust as any Of her companions.
The home is situated on the southern
portion of the peninsula. surrounded by
the waters of the Potomac river ana
Monroe bay. and is thus directly in the
path OF the strong salt breczes, which are
constantly blowing In that locality.
MANAGERS.
The affairs of the home are conducted
by board of managers which annually
elects set of officers The incumbents
are: Mrs. w. G. Davenport. president;
Mrs. H 7. Satterlee, first yice-president:
Mrs A. A. Birney, second vice president:
Miss Victorine Koones, secretary: Mrs.
Joseph r. Johnson. treasurer. The legal
title to the property is vested in three
ts7lstees-Nr Charles J. Bell, Mr.. A. A.
Bfrney, and Mr.. John L. Weaver.
The object OF this institution is con-
Henry z Satterlee. in which he says:
''The Bell Summer Home, at Colonial
Beach. is doing most excellent work
among INDECENT children. Not only are
many. who otherwise would be unable to
get out Of the city at all during the ex-
cessive heat of the summer. taken to the
Beach and given wholesome food fresh
air. and salt water baths. thus restoring
them TO strength and vigor: but while
they are at the home they are under the
constant oversight and training Of re-
fined Christian women. Daughters of the
King, and receive instruction which few
Of them ever receive at home"
BUILDINGS.
The buildings on the grounds, which
have been erected one by one as the
finances OF the home would permit now
consist OF a large three-story building
boys dormitory. playhouse, and
ona-stcry cottage. The construction and
arrangement Of the large building is
unique. the first and second floors being
divided into little bed chambers COM
pletely furnished. each under the espe-
cial care of some one church of this
city. The furnishings while simple are
nevertheless ample and extremely at
iractive. Each room has its white iron
bed. a small toilet stand. and. in some
cases. a little dresser One or two chairs
q little clothes closet. and set of snot-
less bed linen make up the average room
In some cases a few extras have been
added such as pictures and ported flow
ers. The third floor consists of one large
room. extending over the entire building.
This was originally used as a play-roon1
but. owing TO the increased demand in
recent years for additional space. this
room has now been turned into a bed
chamber, and has been fitted up with
about twenty little beds. which accom-
modate from thirty-hve to forty of the
smaller children.
In the rear of the main structure Is
the kitchen and pantry, while the dining
room occupies the first floor of what is
known as the boys dor1nitory. Here are
found tables, ranging in height from one
to two and half feet, with a little chair
for the child of two years and a larger
chair for the hoy or girl of seven or
eight. The second floor Of this building
Is devoted to sleeping accommodations
for the boys. and here are located about
twenty single beds. each provided with
springs, & good mattress and a complete
set Of bed clothes. This room is under
the care and charge of a man. who re-
mains constantly with the boys and gives
his personal attention to all their needs
Twenty-Five or thirty yards from the
main building is the new playhouse This
ie one-story open structure. which has
heen erected by six little girls of Wash
ington. who desired to help their more
unfortunate sisters and brothers and to
provide for them little of the pleasures
which they themselves enjoy at their
homes. This playhouse is provided with
toys and various games which have been
donated by friends OF the home. and it
is here that the children spent the most
Of their time.
The cottage which is used by Mrs. Da-
yenport and the young ladies who assist
her, is also made to serve as a chapel
The large front room is utilized for this
purpose. and services are held there
every morning.
COWS AND A HORSE,
The home is also possessed OF two fine
Jersey COWS, who yield from two to three
gallons OF milk daily, and horse and
large double wagon, in which the children