Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-03-23

TO add more than one hundred to New
York's population every day, little Is
said Of the counter current which Is
taking the waits of the metropolis TO
good homes in the middle west. The
noble institution which does this
work is the New York Juvenile
asylum. For years its gray stone
buildings have been landmarks In the
upper part Of the city, at 18th street
and Amsterdam avenue. These
buildings will disappear within the
next year, but the work is TO be con.
tinued In q new home with better
surroundings, at Dobb's Ferry.
In the past 80 years The juvenile
asylum has placed SIX thousand Of It's
wards in private homes In the west
and this work Is regarded by Super
intendent HlIles and the directors rs
tho most valuable that The institution
performs, for IL has been found that
of the children placed In wholesome
homes In the wcst over IS percent.
grow to be useful and respected Citl-
2ens while Of those who remain In the
city only rs percent. turn out equally
well
There are many thick volumes at
the Juvenile asylum made up Of let.
tors from youngsters who, on western
GaVnB are gaining firm footIipld and
n new outlook upon Me The follow.
ing from an italian boy 1G years old
VINO went to Iowa two years ago, is
tvpical OF many received by Superln.
iendent Hilles,
at Is golngOn two years since came
out mere and | am happy and like 1t
very well; so Is my brother Joseph;
mo lives only two miles from mo and
no 10 play with him often. ] Nike to
lbe around the horses and cows and /
have u football that all the boys Nike to
play with had real big Thanks.
Bdvng dinner. 30 to school during
sho winter time and am In the sixth
asrade; Joseph Is In the third grade"
Going ITO school during the winter
time" Is one OF tho stipulatlons In the
contract signed by the farmer who
agrees to treat the child as one of the
Family until he Is 10, to send
MIN TO school for Ave months during
Che year and to give him $50 on his
18th birthday when the agree.
mont expires, Tho asylum agrees not
To take Its ward away before reach.
Sng that age, and though In some
cases the temptation to work in
duces the ward to desert there
there are moro who prefer TO re.
mGin after the contract has expired In
what IL usually the only home they
have over known.
Many of the letters contain owl
denco that the children become IN
reality members of the family and do
not merely work for their board The
two letters following illustrate this
point. Tho FIRST IA from a 15.ycar
old boy In Iowa.
I'VE have moved on large farm
and have stock TO take care OF.
have learned TO take care of hogs.
horses cows and calves. and | know
how TO milk. We are through pick.
ing corn and am going to school. |
40 10 church two miles away. The
school Is about one4half mile away.
We have fun at school hunt rabbits
and quails. have hcen over To see
George; he lives TO miles away. We
are all well and hope yolr are ALSO"
The second letter Is moro scholarly
81 10 Pa, - 4
Girl.
Il have a nice time here. like my
nome and the lady likes me. and the
children Hike me too. We have 9
horses and 7pgs, cows and some
chickens and turkeys. 80 to school
md | am in the Third Reader. I am
growing strong and healthy. hope
tho girls are all woll and are having
good times. | spoke piece on Child,
rcn's Day at the church; II had IA
yorses, four Hines to each verse; the
name of it was on, why should the
Sparit OF mortal be proud"
II may seem almost unnecessary to
warn asylum children against the ain
M pride. but tho next letter shows evil.
denccs OF Its insidious approach.
81 am getting along fine and like my
western home, like to live ON the
YARN and can do most all kinds OF farm
work. | have a target rife, pony
and n pct pig"
Almost all the letters speak Of some
ret animal which has bcen given to
tho writer. Unless child is well
taken care OF. no is not likely to re.
ceive presents Of horses, dogs. cats
or even pigs, This extract from n
Si-year-old boys letter Is interesting
IL have been in my western home
four years and my guardians are kind
and good TO me, and treat me Hike
their own children attend school
i've months overy winter, and have
only half a indie to walk. am small
Of my age, but milk four cows, and
Z make half hand In the corn field
and expect to plough next summon.
have a pig Of my own that weighs