Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-23
GOOD WILL FARM.
Interesting Facts About Remarkable
and Deserving Institution.

MISS Myra Z. Porter in the interests
of Good VIII Farm. Hinckley. Me-, a
brief description of this institution
which is held in such high esteem by
all our prominent citizens throughout
the state and country, may be of inter-
est.
Beginning fifteen years ago with an
old farmhouse on an old rundown
farm. it now embraces over 300 acres
and its buildings number 10 besides
the fine large brick school building
which was totally destroyed by fire
last New Years eve at a loss of $40, 900
which was partially covered by in
surance.
These buildings consist Of eight cot
tages for boys and two for girls each
occupied by family Of Is, a fine large
manual training building. three small
er cottages occupied by workers and
teachers, school building for girls,
three barns which give shelter to a
large stock Of horses, cattle etc. and
midway between the boys homes and
the girls homes beautiful gray stone
chapel where all worship together.
One OF these cottage homes was
erected by the Patrons Of Husbandry
OF Maine, another by the Christian
Endeavor society Of the state. but the
most of them have been built by in
dividuals. Bailey cottage was built by
Mr.. c. NJ. Bailey of Winthrop: Fogg
Cottage by Mrs. H. H. FOgg of BAN
gor and four New York business men
have erected buildings here as memo
rails to children or parents who have
died. These are monuments more en-
during than polished marble shaft or
bronZed statue for they will be per-
petuated forever I'm the lives thus
helped.
Good VIII gives a home to $50 boys
and girls continuously. They come from
all parts of our own state and from
other New England states, while a few
come from New York The age limit
is from eight to fifteen and an appli
cant to be eligible must be sound in
body and mind. The length of his stay
depends upon the child. some remain
ing for six, eight or ten years.
OF the boys who have gone out from
Good Will Farm m my are occupying
positions Of trust and honor-some
having trades. some employed in
offices, business houses or on the
farms. A good percentage are working
their way through college. Good VII!
being represented in Dartmouth, Colby,
R"wdoin, syracuse University, and one
David X. Porter. in Oxford, Eng, the
first representative from the State OF
Maine under the provisions of Cecil
Rhodes will. Mr.. Porter is a BOwdoin
man, class '06. is % years of age and a
Of
Another Good Will hoy who is max
ing a tine record is young man who
IL years ago was running about the
streets of Bangor. boon companion Of
half a dozen other little fellows nearly
everyone of whom afterward found u
home in the county Jail. This boys
father was dead; his mother was poor
and unable to care for him properly.
hence he ran the streets. got into mis-
chief and drifted with the current to-
ward the shoals on which the play
mates Of his younger days We're finally
wrecked. When he was about ~ inter-
ested friends secured place for him at
Good win. He graduated from the
high school there, taught two years as
principal of the grammar school and
today is one of the finest young men
in New England. He is now in New
Haven. Conn.,, in charge of a club Of
boys numbering 500. This is known as
the Bancroft FOOte club and its work
is similar to that of the boys depart
ment OF the Y. NJ. G. \. Twelve years
ago street boy! One link In chain
today one OF our finest young men and
500 links added, and the chain Will
lengthen as the years go on until its
influence cannot be measured.
This is but one case Of many. In
stance after instance might be given of
boys who have gone out into the world
and are taking their places; bravely and
giving good promise for the future.
One life like this rescu ID is worth years
of labor, the expenditure of thousands
OF dollars.
Quite number of boys in Kennebec
county have entered the Good VIII
home. among them several from our
own city. A young woman. the
| mother of three little boys the eldest Of
| whom was nine years of age. was
deserted by her husband who left moth
| ing for their support. The two elder
| boys were placed at Good Will and the
mother found employment in this city
whereby she was enabled to help to-
ward their support. They remained
| there six years leaving last June and
arc now employed in different places
| here, helping to make home for them
| selves and their mother who has be-
| come quite broken IN health through
| long years of struggling with poverty
| and sorrow.
In speaking of his one day this
mother said-"Had it not been for Cool
| VIII Farm I do not know what I could
have done unless | had given my boys
away"
| These cases are ci+ad to prove how
practical is this benevolence and how
near home it comes 20 everyone. We
| do not know whose child may next
need to find shelter there. The re-
verses Of fortune are peculiar and UNI
looked for.
This work is supported by benevolent
| contributions in sums ranging from 25c
to $4,000. 1t is enlisting the SYM
pathies of many of our first people
not only in Maine and New Engla nd
but throughout the country. 1t is
49,. ~