Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-01-11
BETHANY GROWING
Association Hopes to Move Home
10 City During the
Year.
AFTER SITE IN THE EAST END
Annual Meeting Held at the Harper
House-Report of the Sup
erintendent.

| All the annual meeting of the Beth
\ any Home Protective association al
| the Harper house last evening further
consideration was given the project
looking TO the establishment of the
home in the city. preferably in the
east end. near TO the Moline limits.
The home was formerly the Union Mis-
sion.
As the mission il did not extend its
| usefulness beyond Rock Island coun-
ty. but since the change OF name its
scope has been widened, with results
most encouraging to those who have
been devoting their energies to the
promotion of this most worthy insti-
tuition since its inception several years
ago. The original home was on
Eighth street. Later it was moved 20
Aiken street. South Rock Island. The
Aiken street quarters are no longer
adequate. and there is the addition al
handicap of lack of water.
For Homeless Little Ones.
There are scarcely ever less than
80 children at the home. which is in
charge OF a competent woman as sup
erintendent. who works under the di-
rection of a board of directors chos-
en- from among the business and pro-
fessional men and philanthropic wom-
en- OF the cities of Rock Island and
Moline. Bethany is a refuge for home
less and dependent children Ii is
maintained by public charity and en-
tertainments given from time TO time.
There is a small fund on hand. This.
with public subscriptions that the
board feels il can secure for the ask
ing. will be invested either in i'm
proved property or a building site on
a location TO be selected. The per-
manency of the home is secure. 1t
= a needed institution, as is shown
by the numbers of little ones who are
cared for there through the year.
Those who have never viewed the
work that is being carried on at the
home would do well 10 pay it visit.
II is hoped TO have the home located
in the city during the present year.
Mrs. Bennett Reelected President.
At the meeting last evening the
following officers were elected for the
year:
President-Mrs. w. c. Bennett. Mo
line.
Vice President-Mrs. J. Worker,
Rock Island.
Secretary-George c. Wenger, Rock
Island.
Superintendent-Mis Dina Ramser,
Rock Island.
Treasurer-H. E. Casteel. Rock ISL
and.
Directors. three years.. /. Shields,
Rock Island: Mrs. +. II. Sleight, Mo
line: II. X. Albrecht, Moline: George
Gamble, Moline: Mrs. J. 5. Gilmore.
Moline: two years-Rev. X. b. VIII
Iiams. Rock Island; Emil Peterson,
Rock Island: Mrs. a. MosenfeldeT,
Rock Island: Mrs. NJ. r. Metzgar. Mo-
line: Mrs. W. H. Gest, Rock Island
one year-Prof c. w. Foss, Rock ISL
and: Prof. A. w Williamson, Rock
Island: c. +. White. Moline; Mrs. Ada
Jordan. Moline: Mrs. G.. y. Stephens,
Moline.
suprrintcndent's Report.
Miss Dina Ramser assumed the du-
ties of superintendent on May ]. Mrs.
Ferguson having resigned. \ kinder
cartcn teacher was employed the great
or part of the year. the expense being
borne by the kindergarten committee.
The medical committee formed home
stan. each physician 10 have charge for
a month going TO the home once each
week for inspection and as often as
needed The monthly receptions held
AZ the home proved a success. not only
financially. but by bringing new friends
To the home. children's aid and home
finding work The work of finding
suitable homes for the children re-
leased To US is one which requires the
great of care and considera-
ton. and only after a thorough invesii-
cation do We place any child in a
bone" says the superintendent in her
report Even then should we find |
that everything is not entirely salts |
factory. the child is taken back to- the |
home and sometimes must be placed |
TWO or three times before finding the
right home. After they are placed In
homes. and even after they are adopt |
ed. We visit them from time TO time To
keep in touch with them, and il is with !
real pleasure that we can report that |
several of the children. adopted the |
past year. have found exceptionally |
happy homes. where they are the joy |
Of the home and rejoice in the love of
parents. which surely means much To
these previously homeless. neglected |
waits
"SiXty-eight children were received |
into the home during the year. some |
for temporary care; the others were |
TO us. and these. with 81 al |
ready in the home at the beginning of |
the year make a total of 80 children |
cared for.
Averages 30 Week
The total number of weeks children |
have been in the home during the year !
IS l.4O1, an average of so per week, at |
an average per capita cost of 1882 per |
week. The reason that the per capita |
is so much more than last year is that |