Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-17


Union Mission the following report
covering the year from Jan. 20, 1902,
to Jan. 20, 1908, was submitted by
Mrs. L. f. Bartholomew, the secre-
tary:
To the Members and Friends of the
Mission; Owing to the fact that the
work of the mission in various ways
during the past year has been inter-
rupted, the task of collecting items
and dates for this report has been la
borious and difficult, and not as sat
isfactory as we would like to make it.
Believing that in the main it is cor
rect, we submit the following for
your consideration and for the infor-
nation of the public:
During the year the board of di-
rectors held II regular meetings
and three special meetings, with an
average attendance of eight members.
All of the, meetings Were harmonious
and pleasant, The board does not,
claim that all of its transactions arc
above criticism. still they acted in
good faith and did the best they
could under the circumstances. Va
rious old bills amounting in all to
$5S9.35 included in the sum total of
this report were urged upon the board
for payment. Some of these bills
were earnestly discussed pro and con.
but they were finally approved. the
members of the board believing that
it was better to suffer in the right
than to reject what had at least IL
shadow of justice in the claim. 1t
has been the constant aim of the
board to inaugurate a better system
in the work and business of the mis-
sion.
During the year there were regis
tered in the Mission home % children
from various parts of the county.
Homes were found for ten children,
two were replaced and SO were board
ed and were returned to parents or
guardians. seven remaining in the
home. There was some sickness in
the home, but it is a matter for de-
vout gratitude that death did not visit
the home. All the children are under
the care of competent nurse and
matron.
At different times the home has re-
ceived numerous and substantial do
nations of various kinds. such as
bills donated. provisions, bedding,
clothing, kitchen supplies, dishes,
furniture, wall paper, etc. During the
holiday season gifts were generous
beyond our expectations. We have
not space here to enumerate all the
gifts and the names of the donors.
but we wish to make special mention
of two sets of silver knives and forks,
and two sets of silver teaspoons, all
from the Silver Cross circle of the
Kings Daughters. The names of do
nors and the articles donated are
registered in special book kept
for the purpose. Donations of sup
plies of all kinds are highly appreci-
ated and kindly solicited.
Two of our city physicians, DR.. j.
| p Comegys and L. Bradford. kindly
gave their professional service gra-
tuitously.
The city council donated the as
sessment for the laying of water
main on street upon the property OF
the Mission. Mrs. Mary Wadsworth do
mated the fixtures for fitting up q
| bathroom in the home. These dona
tons were highly appreciated and the
board rendered a vote of thanks to
the mayor and city council and to
| Mrs. Wadsworth for their generous
gifts.
1t is fitting in this connection to
state that the president of the board
Mrs. Gest, has donated much preciou:
| time and labor for the best interests
of the children. Though receiving
no remuneration for her services, sht
has the higher reward which He be
slows who said, ''Inasmuch as We die
| it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, We did it unto me-"
! Feb. 3. 1902, Mrs. Cora b. Wads