The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1902-06-26

We ARE in receipt of the anniversary number of
the Volunteers Gazette, the official organ Of
the Volunteers of America, publication that is Of
interest to all the in here Almost all of this
number is devoted to the work of rescue which has
been successfully carried among prisoners by
Mrs. Maud Darlington Booth. This noble woman
has brought hope and cheer into the prisons where
she has ministered Little Mother" many of the
"boys' call her, and perhaps she is the only mother
some of them have known.
Mrs Booths interest in prisoners is practical
and she deals with the difficult problem of refor-
nation in common sense manner She has or
ganized several Volunteers Prisoners Leagues in
various penal institutions and has established two
homes where discharged prisoners are welcomed and
assisted in making start in the world One
of these homes is located at Flushing N Y, and the
other at Chicago. Two engravngs of the Flushing
home decorate the title page of the anniversary
number of the Volunteers Gazette. Hope Hall
No. l." it is called, looks like commodious
country residence The Hall itself is almost hidden
by shade trees which cluster around it. There is
homelike look about the place, with its broad ve-
randas, flower BEDS fine old trees and close cropped
lawn, it speaks eoquently of the Little Mothers
forethought. The second illustration shows large
extension that was recently added to the main
''Where all boys from prison will always be
welcome
Welcome, when all is gone that men call worth
while honor, good name, friends and perhaps kin
dred here is something tangible something besides
empty words of sympathy. This is just what man
wants most upon leaving prson-a temporary home
where he can gather strength and courage before
taking the plunge into the world once more The
practical value of temporary place of refuge for
the newly discharged prisoner is inestimable SYM
pathy without practical assistance often does the
prisoner more harm than good it tends to make him
regard himself as much abused person (Which he
is not) and to look upon society as his enemy; but
when he is assisted in such way will teach him
to help himself he is started on the right road to
self-redemption
The anniversary number .of the Gazette con-
tains number of testimonials from prison officials
and scores of letters of gratitude from prisoners who
have benefited by the Little Mothers" teachings
Warden Wilkinson of the Folsom, Cal prison.
Major McClaughry warden of the Federal prison at
Fort Leavenworth, Kas., Warden johnson of Sing
Sing, Warden Darby of the Ohio penitentiary and
many others express their entire approval of the
work of the V. p. L. Warden Darby says the or
ganization is material factor in betterng the dis
cipline of the prison. These gentlemen all endorse
the results Of the work.
At the sixth anniversary of the Sing Sing branch
of the v P. L. Mrs. Booth said: II have heard men
say they didn't want to come to Hope Hall because
they didn't want to be branded Indeed it won't
brand them but if it did let tell you it's pretty
good brand. We have friends who will employ Hope
Hall graduates in preference to Others but I have
promised that there shall be no man branded and I
keep my word, and to Hope Hall you are earnestly
invited"
The value of Mrs. Booths work is beyond esti-
mate and all prisoners are to be congratulated upon
having so good friend.