The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-06
HOME FOR LITTLE TOTS
CHILDREN'S GUARDIANS INSTITU-
TION CARES FOR MANY.
1t Was FOunded Fifteen Years Ago
and Filled a Want That Had
Long Been Felt.

AT the south end of Irvington, on Univer-
sity avenue. pleasantly situated among a
J wealth of shade trees away from the noise
and hustle of town, is the home of the Board
of Children's Guardians, which is one of
the many institutions of Indianapolis that
is doing a great work for the unfortunate
little folk of the city. On account of it's
modest location and unostentatious manner,
little is known of this home, but the fruits
of its labor are abundant and are seen in
many homes where bright-faced and happy
children become good men and women de-
spite their unfortunate lot in being thrown
on the county for support.
This institution is not like the indianapolis
Orphans Home, an account of which APP
peared in the Journal some time ago, but
the work is just what the name implies, that
of a guardian caring for children whose
parents have been found to be incapable of
looking after them by the courts and their
only refuge is such a home as the Board of
Children's Guardians supplies. Separation
of father and mother, immortality of the par
ents or similar cause tells the story of many
of the inmates.
A COUNTY INSTITUTION.
The Board of Children's Guardians is a
county institution and is kept up as such.
The present members of the Board are O.. d.
Shower, Charles F.. Coffin, Sylvester John
son. Mrs. Julia III. Goodhart, Mrs. Anna c..
Reaume and Mrs. Lucy Chapman. G. F.
Coffin is president and Mrs. Anna C. Reaume
vice president. Mrs. Julia Goodhart. is the
secretary. The nome is in charge of Mrs.
Elizabeth Taylor, who has been at the head
of the institution for the last six years.
Evans Woollen is the attorney and James K.
King the official representative of the board.
William A. Joyce is the special officer.
1t was about fifteen years ago tha the
idea of organizing such a home was first
considered. Mrs. Julia H. Goodhart, who
is now the secretary and has been promi-
nently connected with the work ever since,
was one of the first persons to attempt the
organization of an institution for the care
Of children who were left without parental
aid. Others who helped to secure the sane
ton of the General Assemly to found a
Children's Board of Charities were Charles
Martindale, the late Rev. Oscar .McCulloch,
who was at that time pastor of Plymouth
Church, Frank Flanner, Hugh III. Hanna,
John III. Holiday and the late Father
Bessonies. The first nome was located near
the end of State street, in the residence of
DIR. Flavius j. Won Vorhis.
AT this time the work was not at all ex-
tensive and the road of those who took an
interest in the enterprise was "A rough one.
Shortly after this the organization decided
to board the children given into it's care
and for about a year ana a half the chill
dren We're boarded. The next step in adj
vance was when a home at the end of
Prospect street was secured which, while
not adequate for the needs of the work.
did very well until better accommodations
could be found. Six years ago the present
home was erected in Irvington at a cost of
about $4,000 Since that time the success
of the institution has been excellent and
the good that has been done has been of
large proportions.
EXCELLENTLY EQUIPPED.
The home in Irvington is excellently
equipped with all modern improvements
and many advantages. 1t has a capacity
for sixty children, but never since its oc-
cupation has there been need for this mum
Der. The largest number of children In the
institution at ore one time was ffty-seven.
There are now forty-seven inmates. The
grounds include a little over three acres
and the large and shady lawn makes a fine
playground.
Homes are being found for the inmates
of the Board of Children's Guardians all
the time. There are two methods by which
a child may be taken. One is outright adop-
ton and the other is the indenture form.
James Il. King Is the visiting agent and
! travels all the time in search OF suitable